Four AGD Executive Committee officer positions will be on the ballot at the Nov. 10–12 House of Delegates annual meeting in Chicago. Candidates are Drs. Samantha Shaver and Marc J. Worob for vice president; Drs. Eric Wong and Kimberly R. Wright for secretary; Dr. Robert M. Peskin for speaker of the House of Delegates; and Dr. Timothy F. Kosinski for editor.

This month’s Member Spotlight features Eric G. Jackson, DDS, MAGD, a general dentist based in Downers Grove, Illinois. He talks about how his dental career developed, how AGD has benefited him and what’s important to him — both inside and outside of the dental practice.

AGD Impact contacted several dentists who place implants and asked them to describe their educational journeys. With so many options to choose from, the key is choosing a path that will best help advance your personal career and goals.

If you’ve moved recently or plan to do so soon, don’t forget to update your AGD profile. This will ensure you keep receiving important information from us! You can also check the status of your membership dues, manage your email subscriptions and change your password.

Patients with a complex problem set involving multiple levels of altered structure challenge clinicians to develop individualized treatment plans. In the September/October issue of General Dentistry, an overview of complex, comprehensive restorations and the clinical case of a patient with Costello syndrome illustrate essential diagnosis and treatment planning concepts.

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

Managing human resources in a dental office comes with its own unique challenges. Whatever HR challenge you may currently face, it is important that you take the time to gather all the facts of the situation. This way, you are confident going into a meeting with team members and have clear objectives for the outcome.

As an associate dentist, you may be looking for ways to save up to open your own practice. AGD’s Exclusive Benefits program can help you find offers on everything from financial products and insurance options to practice management tools.

Timothy F. Kosinski, DDS, MAGD, AGD editor, received the 2023 Distinguished Dental Editor Award, presented by the American Dental Association and the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ). The award was presented at the AADEJ Annual Conference last week in Orlando.

AGD recently responded to the call for comments for two Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed rules — Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and the 2024 Medicare Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies.

Show your commitment to exceptional oral care by pursuing the Fellowship or Mastership awards or Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition. To get recognized at AGD2024 in Minneapolis, July 17–20, all requirements must be completed and applications must be received on or before Dec. 31, 2023. 

The AGD Foundation is now accepting 2024 grant applications. The application period will run through Nov. 30, 2023, and all applications will be reviewed by the AGD Foundation’s Grants Committee.

Let colleagues know that joining AGD now for 2024 gets them the remainder of 2023 for free. That’s up to three months of membership at no cost. Once your colleagues join, you’ll receive $50 in Referral Rewards that can be used toward your own AGD dues renewal.

This month’s cover story, “Implant Education Journeys,” sheds light on the many paths to placing implants. With so many options, the key is choosing a path that advances your personal career and goals.

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

On Oct. 3, discover how oral health impacts general health and how systemic medical conditions impact oral health; on Oct. 12, learn how to apply evidence-based treatment for patients seeking to become tobacco-free; and, on Oct. 17, gain an understanding of the thought, planning and presentation processes that will increase case acceptance.

Recent dental school graduates: You are eligible to enroll in the complimentary malpractice coverage provided by Dentist’s Advantage through AGD’s Exclusive Benefits. If you are already signed up, why not remind fellow graduates to enroll?

A case report in the September/October issue of General Dentistry describes a patient with persistent mandibular deviation during speech who experienced clinically significant improvement — mandibular movement without deviation — after improvements to nasal resistance.

Many dentists are currently focusing on year-end tax planning, scrutinizing practice profitability and assessing their own financial health. If you’ve been putting this off, consider this a wake-up call — the earlier you start, the better.

In collaboration with the American Gastroenterological Association, AGD Impact features a column this month that discusses dental problems gastroenterologists routinely see in their patients.