This Week at AGD

The February issue of AGD Impact is live! This month’s cover story discusses the many ways to train dental assistants, including in-house training programs practices can participate in. Also included is a feature on building trust within your team, as well as columns on Practice Management, New Dentists, Wellness and Residency, and a Member Spotlight on Dr. Fesehatsion Gebrehiwot.

Accelerate your journey toward the Fellowship Award in Las Vegas. Join the intensive Fellowship Review Course, June 24–25, for a high-impact review of 17 general dentistry disciplines. Expand your general dentistry knowledge while preparing for the Fellowship Exam.

Feel stuck in the same routine? Switch things up by referring colleagues to AGD! Already made referrals? Follow up to turn “almosts” into “joins.” Like Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day loop, every referral is another chance to make your day — and your rewards — better.

AGD’s peer-driven perspective remains one of the organization’s greatest strengths — and one of the many ways it comes to life is through the work of AGD’s councils. Recently, council leaders gathered in person for a Joint Council Meeting, providing a valuable opportunity for deeper collaboration and cross-council alignment.

Elevate your expertise at your own pace through the AGD Online Learning Center, featuring on-demand webinars, Self-Instruction exercises and a growing FREE CE library for members. This February, expand your expertise further with expert-led AGD live webinars.

The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry houses over 40,000 objects that celebrate the past, present and future of dentistry while sharing the importance of a healthy mouth as part of a healthy life. As you plan your professional priorities for the new year, take a moment to reflect on the profession’s past by learning about a few select items from the museum’s collection.

This is it! Speaker registration for the Take the Floor education series ends this Sunday, Feb. 1. Don’t miss your final chance to inspire your peers at AGD2026. Submit your abstract on clinical innovation or wellness now, and prepare to make a lasting impact.

In the January issue, AGD Impact Testing the Tools columnist Dr. Ross Isbell evaluated three products for daily practice: SweFlex S.E. Tip from Hager Worldwide, HErD Star from ProDent USA and VeneerNow from Premier.

Gain visibility for your hard work by participating in the AGD2026 Scientific e-Poster Session. Categories include scientific research, clinical innovation and systematic reviews. With prizes of $700 and $550 for top winners, this is a chance to be rewarded for your expertise.

Registration for AGD2026 is officially open! Join your peers in Las Vegas to sharpen your skills through premier hands-on education. Register today to claim your 7 FREE CE credits for courses led by esthetic pioneer Dr. David Hornbrook.

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

AGD, alongside Minnesota AGD, submitted formal comments to the Minnesota Board of Dentistry expressing concerns about proposed changes to expand the scope of practice for dental therapists. AGD emphasized patient safety considerations related to suturing and hard denture relines and urged further review before any expansion is approved.

At AGD2026, advance your skills through expert-led, hands-on courses while connecting with a global dental community to exchange insights on the latest in dentistry. Don’t miss your chance to secure 7 FREE CE credits from esthetics legend Dr. David Hornbrook.

AGD is accepting nominations for the 2026 Dr. Thaddeus V. Weclew Award. The nomination deadline has been extended to Jan. 31, 2026.

Now more than ever, patients are discerning, informed and, above all, skeptical. They scroll right past the blatant product pitches. As we step into a new year, dental practices have an opportunity to ditch their polished-to-perfection personas for a more authentic marketing strategy that will transform reluctant prospects into loyal advocates.

Recently, AGD Podcast Series host Dr. George J. Schmidt spoke with Dr. Amrita R. Patel, an award-winning author and national educator, who shared her journey in dentistry and discussed her contributions to the profession through writing and leadership roles.

The clock is ticking! You have less than two weeks to join the AGD2026 speaker lineup. We’re seeking dynamic presenters for the Take the Floor education series — symposium-style sessions designed to build a following and showcase timely dental innovations. Secure your spot before the Feb. 1 deadline!

While dentists are generally well aware that they are “mandated reporters,” there is a great deal of confusion concerning what being a mandated reporter actually entails. The common belief that a mandated reporter must make a report to the appropriate authority if they see that one of their child patients has been abused falls so short of a dentist’s actual legal and ethical obligations that many dentists are at risk of state and/or dental board sanction without knowing it.

High-level dentistry requires a team that effectively communicates the value of care. Join us in Chicago to master elite communication strategies that boost productivity and patient outcomes. Register for the All-Star Case Acceptance Mastery Series Level 1 by Feb. 1 to secure the early bird rate.

AGD Impact’s 2026 10 Dentists to Watch list is live! From community health clinics in rural Wisconsin to high-tech practices in New York City and even the front lines of the U.S. Army Dental Corps, this year’s 10 Dentists to Watch are redefining what it means to lead in modern dentistry. Check out this year’s honorees and see how they are impacting the future of dentistry.