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On Oct. 8, more than 40 AGD members came together in Chicago to share best practices in advocacy and legislative outreach to expand the organization’s impact with state and federal legislators. The AGD Advocacy Conference welcomes members each year who are ready to enhance their advocacy skills.

Show your lifelong commitment to exceptional oral care by pursuing the Fellowship or Mastership award or LLSR. In order to get recognized at the AGD Convocation Ceremony during AGD2022 in Orlando, Florida, July 27–30, all requirements must be completed and applications submitted and postmarked on or before Dec. 31, 2021.

Many dentists, especially those who also spend a significant portion of their time offering their services on a volunteer basis, emphasize that the positive impact from helping patients is a two-way street.

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

Finding medial arterial calcification (MAC) on CBCT scans is more common than many clinicians realize, and incidental observation warrants referral due to the association between MAC and diabetes.

Last week, AGD President Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, MAGD, testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in support of the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2021 (H.R. 4555).

On October 11, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) issued a "dear colleague" letter outlining her perspective on the path forward for the Build Back Better Act, the "human infrastructure" package expected to total between $1.5 – $3.5 trillion in spending on a broad range of programs.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sent a COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS) to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) on October 12 for regulatory review.

On October 20, AGD's President, Dr. Bruce Cassis, DDS, MAGD, will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health in support of the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act (H.R.4555).

Dracula’s dentist may have the scariest job in Transylvania, but for most dentists a malpractice lawsuit is even more frightening. That’s why AGD provides new graduates and residents professional liability coverage from Dentist’s Advantage at no cost. It’s one of the treats of AGD membership.

Women are undeniably making their marks in the traditionally male-dominated industry of dentistry. Approximately 35% of all dentists today are women. While this is an excellent sign that the dental field is moving toward gender parity, the journey is far from over, and focus must remain on ways to market female practices.

AGD Fellows and Masters are invited to submit abstracts for 20-minute case study presentations that will be showcased in "Dental Pearls from Fellows and Masters." All members are encouraged to submit abstracts for the "Emerging Speakers" series of 50-minute symposium-style lectures on clinical topics in any dental discipline.

What do most of your patients ask for when they come to your office? While they may have other oral health issues, patients’ main request is for whiter teeth. A pearly white smile is a beautiful image, and, with all the online meetings they have been attending, our patients are looking at their smiles more than before.

In honor of October as National Women’s Small Business Month, AGD Impact is telling the stories of four women practice owners. There is no single path to a career in dentistry or to practice ownership. These women represent the different personalities and attitudes that are moving the profession forward.

Organization has donated more than $200,000 in recent years to support oral cancer awareness

Owner of Oak Forest Family Dental in Oak Forest, Illinois

Owner of Lexington Dental Care and Sandusky Dental Care

Owner of Five Aspen Dental Practices in North Carolina

Owner of Town Center Cosmetic Dentistry in Towson, Maryland

When you become an AGD Premium Plus member, you receive free early bird registration to AGD2022. Expect state-of-the-art participation courses, hands-on courses from top lecturers and multiple networking opportunities to connect with peers. AGD Premium members receive discounted early bird pricing. Registration opens in January 2022.