Academy of General Dentistry Honors Arkansas Dentist with 2021 Distinguished Service Award

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recognized Dwight D. Duckworth, DDS, MAGD, of Springdale, Arkansas, as the 2021 recipient for the AGD Distinguished Service Award. Duckworth received the award during the AGD Annual Meeting on November 21, 2021 held at the McCormick Place in Chicago.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an AGD council, committee or task force member who has exhibited outstanding leadership capabilities and whose contributions have resulted in significant and fundamental advances toward fulfilling AGD’s overall mission. Duckworth is recognized for his ongoing work serving his local constituent and his continuous national service to the AGD.

“An award of this magnitude is never from the work of one person.” said Duckworth. “There are so many who deserve gratitude. I am truly grateful for this recognition and thankful to the AGD for allowing me to work with such outstanding people committed to dentistry and oral health.”

Duckworth’s colleagues recognize him as someone who rallies and inspires others around him. They describe him as a go-getter and outgoing leader. He is also described as someone with an innate ability to inspire others and oversee the many different personalities involved with successful committee and council work. Duckworth in his humility attributes his leadership and success to those around him.

Duckworth joined the AGD in 1989, giving him more than 30 years as a member of the organization. Since joining the AGD, Duckworth has served his local Arkansas AGD constituent in many capacities, including as president. He is the past chair of the AGD Examination Council, the Fellowship Exam Committee, chairing the development and assessment teams responsible for writing the Fellowship Examination. He is also a manuscript reviewer for AGD.  In addition to his service to AGD, Duckworth has contributed an equal amount of time in service to other dental organizations. He also served five years on the executive council for the Arkansas State Dental Association and later as its president.  He currently sits on the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.

“There are so many who have inspired me during my career and taught me to be a good leader, said Duckworth. “I am so grateful to the AGD for recognizing my contributions and truly thankful to those who have worked with me along the way. This is an unforgettable honor.”

Having been involved in the Reserve Officers Training Corps during his undergraduate years at Arkansas State University, Duckworth was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army after graduation. Duckworth is a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry and completed the Advanced Education Program in General Dentistry at Fort Campbell in Kentucky.

Duckworth and his wife, Dena, have two daughters, Alyssa and Ash.