NEWSROOM

Happy National Fresh Breath Day! 😮‍💨✨Let’s celebrate the power of prevention, the beauty of patient education, and the magic of a well-timed tongue scraper. Fresh breath isn’t just a courtesy — it’s a sign of great oral health, and that starts in our chairs. Here's to minty-fresh smiles, one checkup at a time!

The August issue of AGD Impact is live! This month’s issue features a cover story on retirement planning from start to finish, as well as a feature story on Generation Z in the dental workforce. Columns include New Dentists, Practice Management and Wellness. Learn more in the latest issue of AGD Impact: www.agd.org/impact.

AGD Impact regularly features a Testing the Tools column with practical reviews of some of the latest dental products. This month, reviewer Dr. Ross Isbell, a general dentist in Gadsden, Alabama, tested a one-step solution for buffering local anesthetics, a burr for soft tissue and a high-quality dental-grade glycerine.

Check out this month’s member spotlight featuring Dr. Alexandra Otto, a board-certified pediatric dentist and nationally recognized speaker and leader in the dental community. She shares why membership in AGD and staying on top of her skills as a general practitioner are important to her as a pediatric dentist.

Unlock proven techniques to boost case acceptance and patient trust at the AGD Headquarters in Chicago. This in-person course offers practical strategies and up to 7 CE credits. Save over $400, and elevate your communication skills for better outcomes. Limited spaces available.

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

Check out AGD Impact’s feature story this month, which explores the ins and outs of the invisible dental services organization (DSO), a type of DSO that offers nonclinical administrative support services to dental practices while allowing them to retain their name and branding.

On July 22, 2025, the U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means, Health and Oversight Subcommittees held a joint hearing entitled, Medicare Advantage: Past Lessons, Present Insights, Future Opportunities.

On July 14, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its Calendar Year (CY) 2026 proposed rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). In the proposed rule, CMS proposed changes to the physician payment conversion factor and included other key updates that impact primary care and Medicare services.

From July 17th through 19th Dr. Gordon Isbell, DMD, MAGD and AGD staff attended the Annual Meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC is a national organization of state legislators dedicated to free markets, limited government and federalism.

Dr. Jane F. Martone was honored at the 2025 Convocation Ceremony in Montréal on July 12. Martone’s remarkable career spans nearly three decades of private practice and dental education, where her tireless dedication to teaching and advancing oral implantology has earned her widespread respect and admiration.

Nearly 14.2 million Americans suffer from serious mental illness (SMI). A new study in General Dentistry used data from a U.S. dental school clinic to examine oral healthcare disparities experienced by people with SMI and suggest a more integrated approach to care.

To achieve your Fellowship, Mastership, or Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition during the AGD2026 Convocation Ceremony in Las Vegas, all requirements must be completed and applications must be submitted on or before Dec. 31. Need help fulfilling the required CE? Search the AGD CE Directory or Online Learning Center.

In part two of our Convocation feature, four more awardees share what drove them to pursue Fellowship, Mastership or LLSR honors — and offer advice for others aiming to achieve these prestigious milestones.

The days of placing an ad on Indeed or the local job board and finding an employee in a few weeks are gone. Dentists need to be more creative with finding employees, and even more competitive when it comes to having a job that potential employees will fight for.

Recently, AGD Podcast Series host Dr. George J. Schmidt spoke with Dr. Michael J. Melkers, an expert in restorative care, and Dr. John Chao, inventor of the pinhole surgical technique (PST™), a minimally invasive, scalpel-free, suture-free method for treating gingival recession.

Marketing budgets can vary widely depending on your practice goals, growth stage and location, but that doesn’t mean you have to guess. AGD Impact columnist Jackie Ulasewich Cullen says the key is treating marketing as a strategic investment — not just another line item.

Don’t worry! The Fall Fellowship Review Course and Exam will take place Sept. 26–28 in Chicago. Premium Plus members receive a 20% discount on the review course. To help prepare in the meantime, download the Study Guide Supplement 2016-2020 along with the Annual Study Guides.