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On October 3, 2023, the House of Representatives voted to vacate the seat of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in a historic 216-210 vote. This marks the first time in history that a House speaker has been removed in this manner.

On September 30, 2023, Congress passed a last-minute spending bill (H.R. 5860) averting a government shutdown. The 71-page bill was crafted by then House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

Managing human resources in a dental office comes with its own unique challenges. Whatever HR challenge you may currently face, it is important that you take the time to gather all the facts of the situation. This way, you are confident going into a meeting with team members and have clear objectives for the outcome.

As an associate dentist, you may be looking for ways to save up to open your own practice. AGD’s Exclusive Benefits program can help you find offers on everything from financial products and insurance options to practice management tools.

Timothy F. Kosinski, DDS, MAGD, AGD editor, received the 2023 Distinguished Dental Editor Award, presented by the American Dental Association and the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ). The award was presented at the AADEJ Annual Conference last week in Orlando.

AGD recently responded to the call for comments for two Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed rules — Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and the 2024 Medicare Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies.

Show your commitment to exceptional oral care by pursuing the Fellowship or Mastership awards or Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition. To get recognized at AGD2024 in Minneapolis, July 17–20, all requirements must be completed and applications must be received on or before Dec. 31, 2023. 

Issue Focuses on Implant Education

The AGD Foundation is now accepting 2024 grant applications. The application period will run through Nov. 30, 2023, and all applications will be reviewed by the AGD Foundation’s Grants Committee.

Let colleagues know that joining AGD now for 2024 gets them the remainder of 2023 for free. That’s up to three months of membership at no cost. Once your colleagues join, you’ll receive $50 in Referral Rewards that can be used toward your own AGD dues renewal.

This month’s cover story, “Implant Education Journeys,” sheds light on the many paths to placing implants. With so many options, the key is choosing a path that advances your personal career and goals.

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

On Oct. 3, discover how oral health impacts general health and how systemic medical conditions impact oral health; on Oct. 12, learn how to apply evidence-based treatment for patients seeking to become tobacco-free; and, on Oct. 17, gain an understanding of the thought, planning and presentation processes that will increase case acceptance.

The U.S. is on the verge of a government shutdown, with Congress facing a September 30, 2023, deadline to pass appropriations bills to fund the government. There are several options for Congress and the President during high-stakes negotiations over funding the federal government as the fiscal year (FY) comes to an end.

On September 14, 2023, the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee held a legislative hearing entitled Legislative Proposals to Prevent and Respond to Generic Drug Shortages.

On September 21, 2023, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) held a markup of legislative proposals intended to boost primary care access and reauthorize programs addressing maternal morbidity and mortality and pediatric cancer research. The committee voted in favor of all four bills.

A case report in the September/October issue of General Dentistry describes a patient with persistent mandibular deviation during speech who experienced clinically significant improvement — mandibular movement without deviation — after improvements to nasal resistance.

Recent dental school graduates: You are eligible to enroll in the complimentary malpractice coverage provided by Dentist’s Advantage through AGD’s Exclusive Benefits. If you are already signed up, why not remind fellow graduates to enroll?

Many dentists are currently focusing on year-end tax planning, scrutinizing practice profitability and assessing their own financial health. If you’ve been putting this off, consider this a wake-up call — the earlier you start, the better.