Chicago, Illinois – Academy of General Dentistry Past President Jeffrey M. Cole, DDS, MBA, FAGD, has been elected president-elect of the American Dental Association. The selection was made during the ADA House of Delegates meeting. He will ascend to the role of president in October 2018.

Dr. Cole served as president of AGD from 2012-2013. Before being elected AGD vice president, he served as treasurer for the maximum two terms, and prior to that was an AGD trustee and regional director. As AGD treasurer, he served on the Budget and Finance, Investment, Audit, and Compensation Committees. Dr. Cole also served as chairman of the ADA-AGD Task Force, whose charge was to enhance the relationship between the two organizations. He served as chairman of the AGD Professional Relations Committee, as well as a member of the Dental Practice and Dental Education Councils. Committed to advocating for the profession, he is the 2016 recipient of the Ritz Award, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding efforts to advocate for general dentists at the local and national level.  

“Dr. Cole is truly an exemplary leader and a committed servant to our profession,” said Maria A. Smith, DMD, MAGD, AGD president. “He has a great appreciation for the challenges facing organized dentistry and I know he will continue to work tirelessly on issues vital to the future of our profession and those that will ultimately affect the patients we serve.”

Dr. Cole is the 4th District trustee of the ADA. He also serves on the ADA Budget and Finance Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. Dr. Cole was a member of the ADA’s Council on Dental Practice.

Dr. Cole is also a past president of the Delaware State Dental Society (DSDS), where he was a member of its executive committee for seven years, which included two terms as treasurer. Dr. Cole served many years on the DSDS Budget & Finance Committee and Legislative Council. He currently serves as an ADPAC Action Team Leader for the state of Delaware and as a consultant to the DSDS Legislative Council and lobbyist team. In recognition of his efforts, he received the DSDS Distinguished Service Award in 2015.

Dr. Cole received his Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University and is a graduate of Georgetown University School of Dentistry. He completed a general practice residency (GPR) at the Medical Center of Delaware before entering private practice. He earned his Master of Business Administration from the Fox School of Business and Management of Temple University. Dr. Cole has attained Fellowship in the AGD, as well as fellowship in Academy of Dentistry International, American College of Dentists, and International College of Dentists.    

Dr. Cole and his wife, Linda, reside in Wilmington, Delaware, where he maintains a solo private practice.