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On July 30, AGD, along with other members of the Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC) in an effort spearheaded by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, sent letters to the House Ways & Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee calling for the Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act (H.R.1285/S.449) to be passed in any upcoming tax-related legislation.

Democratic members of the Senate Budget Committee released the text, section-by-section summary, and one-page summary of a $3.5 trillion Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 on August 9. The $3.5 trillion framework has the support of Senate Democratic leadership and the President.

The West Virginia University School of Dentistry received an AGD Foundation grant in 2021 to promote oral cancer awareness and prevention through free education and oral screenings to the general public.

Dental hygiene is a major and critical part of the dental profession. Hygienists play various roles — expert clinicians, licensed professionals, practice producers and colleagues. However, once the pandemic arrived and practices shut down, more dental hygienists decided to exit the profession, at least temporarily.

Let colleagues know it’s the perfect time to become an AGD member. By joining now, they’ll pay only half of 2021 headquarters dues. Our Half-Year Dues promotion runs through Sept. 30.

AGD Corporate Sponsor Colgate provides support to general dentists to build better oral health habits. An online tool helps you access resources for recommendation to your patients.

AGD’s blog, “The Daily Grind,” offers insight and reflections from dental students and practicing general dentists. Recently, George J. Schmidt, DMD, FAGD, chair, Dental Education Council, highlighted the 2021 Convocation Ceremony and the excitement that AGD was able to commemorate these accomplishments.

Too many employees are leaving dental practices, citing concerns over COVID-19. Don Deems, DDS, FAGD, PCC, provides guidance to help retain employees in a competitive job market.

AGD is working to address the most pressing issues faced by our members as we advocate to government entities for general dentists.

AGD Impact Self-Instruction exercises are designed to easily fit into your busy learning schedule. Each exercise contains 10 questions and is worth 1 CE credit. Once enrolled, all you need to do is read the articles, take the exercises and submit your answers.

AGD will host the 2021 Fall Fellowship Review Course Oct. 1–2 at the Capital Hilton in downtown Washington, D.C. Attendees can register to take the Fellowship Exam immediately following the review course Oct. 3.

This month, AGD Impact examines emerging research linking oral disease to severity of COVID-19 infections and complications as well as the state of research regarding the oral-systemic link in general.

Taking the course, “Orthodontics for General Practice,” delivered by general practitioner David A. Wright, DDS, MBA, MAGD, will prepare you to begin integrating satisfying orthodontic procedures into your practice.

AGD’s Exclusive Benefits program provides dental practice owners savings on a variety of insurance and financial products, educational services, practice management tools, office supplies, promotional products, lab services and more.

On July 19, Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) introduced the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act (H.R.4439), which would require all state Medicaid programs to provide mandatory adult dental and oral health services.

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2022 funding legislation on July 15 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS). As anticipated, the Committee has included funding for vital oral health-related programs and provisions in the FY2022 Labor-HHS package (H.R.4502).

The Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act (H.R.4311) from Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and the Medicare Dental Coverage Act (H.R.4650) from Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) were both recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Both bills would expand Medicare Part B coverage to include comprehensive dental and oral health services.

On July 20, Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) reintroduced H.R.4555, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2021.

On July 13, I was honored to lead my colleagues as we took our message to Capitol Hill through a virtual Hill Day. We met with congressional leaders and their staffs virtually to communicate key details regarding pressing issues affecting the dental industry.

As we reach a critical point in the pandemic and continue to evaluate a barrage of daily new information, it is important to consider the ethical landscape of dental practice. Of significant concern are justice, equity and access to care.