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On September 3, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Rural Action Plan, following an August 3 executive order requesting that the HHS produce a report on existing and upcoming efforts to improve rural healthcare.

On September 9, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a markup session for 38 pieces of legislation, including H.R. 1379, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA).

In a September 8 letter to lead sponsors, AGD endorsed H.R. 7671, the Small Business Comeback Act. H.R. 7671 calls for the establishment of a Small Business Recovery Fund to help American businesses who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

AGD submitted comments on September 4 to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) in response to their Discussion Draft of the Preliminary Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine (2020).

AGD President, Dr. Connie White, DDS, FAGD, sent a letter on August 27 to the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Oral Health advocating for a return to May 2020 guidance language on N95 masks in its “Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.

AGD podcaster Wes Blakeslee, DMD, MAGD, recently interviewed Robert M. Maguire, DDS, about the DISC personality assessment tool. DISC stands for the four main personality types: dominant, influencing, steady and compliant. Maguire explains the different types and how you can maximize staff personality traits to improve overall effectiveness.

Congratulations to the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry Student Chapter and Kay Jordan, DDS, MAGD, assistant clinical faculty member at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, the 2020 recipients of the AGD Student Chapter of the Year and Faculty Member of the Year, respectively.

The newest issue of General Dentistry includes a range of clinical articles, case reports, and columns. Also, be sure to check out “The foundation of yesterday’s experiences,” a special goodbye Editorial from long-time AGD Editor Roger Winland, DDS.

AGD is supportive of point-of-care testing, and the Dental Practice Council is closely following testing and regulatory developments. For AGD members who may be interested in applying for a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments certificate of waiver, AGD has developed information to guide you through the process.

Many AGD members have been working tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the needs of their patients and the community. To acknowledge these contributions, AGD corporate sponsor SoFi is giving away a total of $100K to 10 winners ($10K per winner) to pay off student debt.

AGD fact sheets provide your patients with all of the information they need to maintain their oral health. Fact sheets on more than 25 oral health topics are available online and can be customized to include your name and practice contact information.

The newest issue of AGD Impact tackles the dizzying array of options and group practice models to choose from in today’s workplace. Also included are the 2019 Treasurer’s Report to the Membership and the Executive Committee Candidates for 2020–2021.

Dental practices can purchase nearly everything they need for their offices used. While buying used equipment may not be as simple as buying new, smart buying strategies can save dental practices a significant amount of money.

Join the 2021 class of AGD Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition (LLSR) recipients. To become eligible, finalize all continuing education and service requirements, and submit the completed LLSR application by Dec. 31, 2020. Fewer than 400 AGD members have earned this prestigious recognition, and you could be one of them.

The 72-hour flash sale is over, but special offers continue until Sept. 30. Buy three Tetric® Prime refills and get one free, or get the Adhese Universal Vivapen System Pack for just $107.50. For more information or to sign up with AGDVANTAGE, visit the AGDVANTAGE website, or call 800.626.2163, ext. 4568.

AGD has updated its privacy settings to protect your data. As part of this process, a seven-character alphanumerical password is required, and you may be unable to log in to AGD.org and other sites until you create one. Visit agd.org/password for more information and instructions.

As demand for esthetic orthodontic treatment in adults has grown, clear aligner therapy (CAT) has become increasingly accessible for patients and appealing to providers. This article in the latest issue of General Dentistry highlights the clinical scope and limitations of CAT while outlining the differences among various clear aligner products.

AGD is working to address the most pressing issues faced by our members as we advocate to government entities for general dentists. AGD recently initiated dialogue with the National Association of Dental Plans, and the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Application deadline has been extended to Sept. 13.

The AGD and Wisconsin AGD sent a letter to the City of Madison Water Utility Board in advance of their August 25 meeting, and in support of community water fluoridation (CFW).

On August 18, the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) released Healthy People 2030 (HP2030) – the 5th version of the Healthy People initiative.