Dr Al Reader received his DDS from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1971 and completed his endodontic training at The Ohio State University in 1975, earning his certificate in endodontics and an MS for research involving pulpal nerve innervation. Dr Reader is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and has served as its director. He is currently Professor Emeritus and was past program director of the Advanced Endodontic Program in the Division of Endodontics. He has advised or was a committee member for 168 master theses and has authored more than 175 scientific articles and 14 chapters in leading endodontic texts. Dr Reader has received recognition from the American Association of Endodontics in the form of the Louis I. Grossman Award for contributions to the endodontic literature and the I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award. His focus of research is local anesthesia and pain control.