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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.

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.

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.

The October issue of AGD Impact is live! In it, five experts share their insights on various common dental contracts that dentists may encounter over the course of their careers, such as employment, building leases and other financial matters.

For half a century, the AGD Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AGD, has recognized the critical role of general dentists in advancing the oral health of the public through charitable initiatives.

An important initiative is underway 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.

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.

Sign up for AGD’s four live webinars in October. “Let's Get Digital: An Introduction to Digital Dentures,” presented by Dr. Wendy Clark and sponsored by Dentsply Sirona, will take place this Thursday, Oct. 6, and is free to all attendees.

AGD submitted comment to the World Health Organization (WHO) on its Discussion Paper (Version dated August 12, 2022) Draft Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023-2030). The organization’s response outlines its concerns regarding universal oral health coverage, dental therapists, healthcare-related taxes and more.

AGD Impact’s popular cover story, “10 Dentists to Watch,” will return in 2023. For the first time ever, we’re opening the nominations up to all AGD membership! Do you know a talented young dentist who’s doing extraordinary things and deserves some recognition? Let us know!

Let colleagues know that by joining now for 2023, they’ll get the remainder of 2022 for free! Once they join, you’ll receive $50 in Referral Rewards that can be used toward your national membership renewal.

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

In a letter to the Chief Dental Officer of the World Health Organization (WHO), AGD outlined its positions on some of the topics covered under the WHO’s Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023-2030) draft.