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​The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is concerned that the American Medical Association’s (AMA) recent decision to allow non-dental health care workers to administer silver diamine fluoride is a temporary solution to a growing oral health crisis.

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Board approved a contribution of $50,000 from the AGD Advocacy Fund to support a statewide ballot initiative in Massachusetts — Question 2 — that would require dental insurance companies to spend at least 83% of premium dollars collected on dental services or refund the difference to patients.

President Biden’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 of student loan debt for eligible Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 of debt for eligible non-Pell Grant borrowers who earn less than $125,000 annually ($250,000 for married couples) has been temporarily blocked by a federal appeals court.

When I first began college, I remember talking to a nursing professor about the importance of finding a mentor. Then I started working as a nurse, and the older nurses talked about how they had mentors and learned from them. After that, I began dental school, and each of my professors spoke about the importance of mentorship. It was at that point in my D1 year that I thought, “Maybe I should find a mentor.”

Eric M. Block, DMD, CAGS, FICOI, FICD, was on the verge of burnout. He was tired of doing the same kind of dentistry day in, day out. Learn how he revitalized his passion by adding clear aligners to his practice.

Production is not just a number, but a compilation of many actions, systems and services. And, just like any other business statistic, there are proven methods to increase it. Roger Levin, DDS, provides examples of opportunities that every dental practice should consider when creating production plans.

AGD’s year-round membership app offers you a way to stay connected with other members, access information and membership benefits, and receive important notifications. Use your AGD username (not email address) to log in.

AGD Podcast host Wes Blakeslee, DMD, FAGD, and dental coding expert Greg Grobmyer, DDS, discuss coding strategies, updates for 2022 and 2023, documentation practices, and opportunities for managing insufficient documentation.

The clear aligner treatment landscape has become ultracompetitive. A dental practice wanting to capitalize on the opportunity to offer clear aligners or one looking to boost the number of clear aligner cases it treats should implement a comprehensive marketing strategy to attract the right kinds of patients.

Show your commitment to exceptional oral care by pursuing the Fellowship or Mastership awards or LLSR. To get recognized at AGD2023 in Las Vegas, July 19–22, all requirements must be completed, and applications must be submitted and postmarked, on or before Dec. 31, 2022.

Dentists have many responsibilities in addition to providing oral healthcare for patients. Many of these responsibilities involve researching and signing contracts pertaining to the business side of dentistry — employment, building leases and other financial matters. With this in mind, AGD Impact asked five experts who specialize in various common dental contracts for insights.

Ralph A. Cooley, DDS, FAGD, has long been involved with AGD. In addition to his current role as a member of the Legislative & Governmental Affairs Council, he represents AGD and the interests of general dentists in two additional organizations. He spoke with AGD Impact about his path to involvement.

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

The AGD led an Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC) letter supporting S.5073 the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2022. 19 national dental organizations signed onto the letter to endorse the legislation and advocate for the promotion of oral health literacy (OHL).

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Board approved a contribution of $50,000 from the AGD Advocacy Fund to support a statewide ballot initiative in Massachusetts — Question 2 — that would require dental insurance companies to spend at least 83% of premium dollars collected on dental services or refund the difference to patients.

A nearly full-mouth rehabilitation can be accomplished without sacrificing all maxillary and mandibular teeth. Prosthodontics columnist Samuel M. Strong, DDS, reports a case of severe deterioration treated with a combination of restorations and prosthetics.

Bill S.B. 5073 Authorizes Funding for Education Campaign to Reduce Growing Oral Health Concerns

AGD’s Online Learning Center contains 140+ on-demand webinars, with subjects including but not limited to 310 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 340 Anesthesia and Pain Management, 370 Orthodontics and 490 Periodontics.

AGD will be making the trek to Houston for AGD SmileCon 2022, October 13-15. Want an AGD backpack?

The latest issue of General Dentistry features the case of a 16-year-old who presented with an impacted third molar and radiolucent lesion. The clinician believed treating the lesion would risk life-threatening bleeding, so no surgery was performed. After 8 years, radiographs revealed the lesion had resolved without treatment.