The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recently recognized the late Roger D. Winland, DDS, MS, MAGD, with the AGD Distinguished Service Award, posthumously during its Annual Meeting held on Nov. 10, in Chicago, Illinois. AGD’s Distinguished Service Award acknowledges a council, committee or task force member who has exhibited outstanding leadership capabilities and whose contributions result in significant and fundamental advances toward fulfilling AGD’s overall mission. Winland was a general dentist from Athens, Ohio, and served as AGD editor for 24 years before retiring from that role in 2020. He died in August 2022. Winland’s wife Debra accepted the award. (Watch a brief tribute video.)

During his tenure as editor, Winland reviewed thousands of technical, clinical and research reports and findings, as well as case reports and columns that ran in AGD’s peer-reviewed journal, General Dentistry. He also guided AGD Impact’s content, striving to ensure AGD published news and stories relevant to the profession. He was committed to editorial excellence in AGD publications and other news sources and was a vibrant leader of the AGD Communications Council.

“Dr. Winland was a true legend to his editorials,” said Timothy Kosinski, DDS, MAGD, AGD Editor. “He had fans around the globe for the empowering stories he shared about practice management, family, health, learning and more. He loved to share the stories about his life, and his readers never wanted to miss his updates in each issue.”

An AGD member since 1975, Winland also served as a member of the Communications and the Legislative & Governmental Affairs councils and as chair of the former Self-Assessment Committee. He also served as president of the Ohio AGD and the Hocking Valley Dental Society. Seeing an opportunity in collaboration, Winland directed joint issues of General Dentistry with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of Laser Dentistry, American Association of Endodontists, American College of Prosthodontists and American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

“My husband Roger was devoted to helping people access oral care,” said Debra Winland. “He would do whatever it took to assist people, and was one of the only dentists in the southeast Ohio area who covered Medicaid patients.”

Winland was a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He served his country in the United States Air Force. He received his Fellowship (1984) and Mastership (1991) from AGD. He was also a fellow of the International College of Dentistry, the Academy of Dentistry International and the American College of Dentists. Winland served as a delegate for the Ohio Dental Association and was a member of the Ohio Dental Association Task Force on Managed Care.

About the Academy of General Dentistry

Founded in 1952, AGD is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists. AGD provides its nearly 40,000 members with the resources, support and education to deliver exceptional dental care and oral health education. AGD’s mission is “to advance general dentistry and oral health through quality continuing education and advocacy.”