AGD offers myriad benefits to members through its partner companies. This month, two of these providers — Dentist’s Advantage and Hagan Insurance — offer insights into their respective fields of expertise.

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

This month, AGD Impact columnist Dr. Amrita Feiock writes about contributing to the collective voice of general dentists. She says AGD serves as a powerful advocate for its members by engaging with policymakers and other organizations on important issues affecting the profession, patients and the healthcare system.

Nominations are open for AGD’s 2025 Student Chapter of the Year and Faculty Advisor of the Year awards! Join AGD in celebrating the exceptional student chapters and faculty advisors who have gone the extra mile. Nominations are being accepted through April 18.

The deadline to submit an abstract for the AGD2025 Scientific e-Poster Session is next Wednesday, April 2! Dental students, residents and recent grads can showcase their research and compete for awards.

While general dentists focus on maintaining their own licenses and knowledge about their own scope of practice, they do not always pay careful attention to the state requirements governing their assistants and hygienists.

Don’t miss your chance to submit an abstract proposal for consideration in the AGD2025 Scientific e-Poster Session. Two individual winners will be selected from each category (scientific research, case presentation, literature review) and will receive $400 for first place and $300 for second place in each category.

Join us at booth No. 1723 during the 2025 Hinman Dental Meeting, March 20–22, to explore AGD’s latest offerings and exclusive specials. Chat with our experts, get your questions answered, and score AGD-branded swag when you renew, upgrade or enroll in autorenewal.

New research compared orofacial radiographs of patients with sickle cell disease and healthy individuals. Significant findings of osteoporotic changes among patients with sickle cell disease demonstrate the potential of orofacial imaging to aid in the early detection of bone alterations in these patients.

Join us at AGD2025 in Montréal to earn the CE credits you need for AGD’s Fellowship Award. Participate in dynamic, expert-led lectures and hands-on courses in cosmetic dentistry, restorative practices and advanced procedures. Don’t miss out — register now, and elevate your skills!

AGD’s Dental Practice Council members Ralph A. Cooley, DDS, FAGD, and Arlene O’Brien, DMD, FAGD, attended last week’s American Dental Association Code Maintenance Committee meeting where they advocated for general dentistry while championing three requests for new listings that were submitted by AGD. 

Join us in vibrant Montréal for AGD2025! Enhance your dental skills while exploring the city's amazing food, rich history in Old Montréal, and exciting shopping and sightseeing. Don't miss the perfect blend of world-class education and unforgettable experiences — start planning your trip today!

Earning your AGD Fellowship is a major milestone, but success starts with a solid plan! Learn how to track your CE credits, stay organized, and reach your goal with expert strategies. Don’t wait — start your journey now!

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

Make the assist, and cash in! Refer colleagues to AGD, and you’ll earn $50 in Referral Rewards for each one who joins. Stack up rewards faster than a last-second shot, and use them toward your renewal dues.

AGD has played a pivotal role in my dental career since my time in dental school. Initially, AGD provided an essential foundation for me as a student, offering networking opportunities with other student leaders passionate about general dentistry. It introduced me to the importance of continuing education (CE) — not just as a learner, but as someone who could organize educational experiences for others.

When I graduated from dental school in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was excited to start my career. Yet, as the weeks and months progressed, I began to feel a sense of loneliness. Maybe it was the abrupt way my dental school education was cut short by an unprecedented global public health event — or maybe, I thought, it was because of the nature of general practice dentistry.

Growing up in Texas, I figured I would be a Texan my entire life. I went to college and dental school in Texas. It just made sense that I would buy a practice near where I grew up. But this path was not meant to be. I ended up in West Virginia, and I can truly say that AGD is the reason I have the position I have. And for that, I love AGD.

AGD has been more than an organization to me — it has been the foundation of my professional growth and success. Early in my career, I was a new graduate struggling to find my footing. Opening a practice from scratch in 2007, with no local connections and minimal business experience, was a daunting challenge. I found myself overwhelmed and unsure how to navigate the complexities of running a dental office.

In celebration of all that the organization has to offer, AGD Impact reached out to four members and asked them to tell their AGD stories. AGD has shaped their careers in different ways, but, like so many dentists across the country, they all agree that they would not be where they are today without AGD — and that they love their AGD family.