When I first began college, I remember talking to a nursing professor about the importance of finding a mentor. Then I started working as a nurse, and the older nurses talked about how they had mentors and learned from them. After that, I began dental school, and each of my professors spoke about the importance of mentorship. It was at that point in my D1 year that I thought, “Maybe I should find a mentor.”

Eric M. Block, DMD, CAGS, FICOI, FICD, was on the verge of burnout. He was tired of doing the same kind of dentistry day in, day out. Learn how he revitalized his passion by adding clear aligners to his practice.

Production is not just a number, but a compilation of many actions, systems and services. And, just like any other business statistic, there are proven methods to increase it. Roger Levin, DDS, provides examples of opportunities that every dental practice should consider when creating production plans.

AGD’s year-round membership app offers you a way to stay connected with other members, access information and membership benefits, and receive important notifications. Use your AGD username (not email address) to log in.

AGD Podcast host Wes Blakeslee, DMD, FAGD, and dental coding expert Greg Grobmyer, DDS, discuss coding strategies, updates for 2022 and 2023, documentation practices, and opportunities for managing insufficient documentation.

The clear aligner treatment landscape has become ultracompetitive. A dental practice wanting to capitalize on the opportunity to offer clear aligners or one looking to boost the number of clear aligner cases it treats should implement a comprehensive marketing strategy to attract the right kinds of patients.

Show your commitment to exceptional oral care by pursuing the Fellowship or Mastership awards or LLSR. To get recognized at AGD2023 in Las Vegas, July 19–22, all requirements must be completed, and applications must be submitted and postmarked, on or before Dec. 31, 2022.

Ralph A. Cooley, DDS, FAGD, has long been involved with AGD. In addition to his current role as a member of the Legislative & Governmental Affairs Council, he represents AGD and the interests of general dentists in two additional organizations. He spoke with AGD Impact about his path to involvement.

Dentists have many responsibilities in addition to providing oral healthcare for patients. Many of these responsibilities involve researching and signing contracts pertaining to the business side of dentistry — employment, building leases and other financial matters. With this in mind, AGD Impact asked five experts who specialize in various common dental contracts for insights.

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

A nearly full-mouth rehabilitation can be accomplished without sacrificing all maxillary and mandibular teeth. Prosthodontics columnist Samuel M. Strong, DDS, reports a case of severe deterioration treated with a combination of restorations and prosthetics.

AGD’s Online Learning Center contains 140+ on-demand webinars, with subjects including but not limited to 310 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 340 Anesthesia and Pain Management, 370 Orthodontics and 490 Periodontics.

AGD will be making the trek to Houston for AGD SmileCon 2022, October 13-15. Want an AGD backpack?

The latest issue of General Dentistry features the case of a 16-year-old who presented with an impacted third molar and radiolucent lesion. The clinician believed treating the lesion would risk life-threatening bleeding, so no surgery was performed. After 8 years, radiographs revealed the lesion had resolved without treatment.

The October issue of AGD Impact is live! In it, five experts share their insights on various common dental contracts that dentists may encounter over the course of their careers, such as employment, building leases and other financial matters.

For half a century, the AGD Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AGD, has recognized the critical role of general dentists in advancing the oral health of the public through charitable initiatives.

An important initiative is underway in Massachusetts – Question 2 — that would require dental insurance companies to spend at least 83% of premium dollars collected on dental services or refund the difference to patients.

AGD’s year-round membership app offers you a way to stay connected with other members, access information and membership benefits, and receive important notifications.

Sign up for AGD’s four live webinars in October. “Let's Get Digital: An Introduction to Digital Dentures,” presented by Dr. Wendy Clark and sponsored by Dentsply Sirona, will take place this Thursday, Oct. 6, and is free to all attendees.

AGD submitted comment to the World Health Organization (WHO) on its Discussion Paper (Version dated August 12, 2022) Draft Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023-2030). The organization’s response outlines its concerns regarding universal oral health coverage, dental therapists, healthcare-related taxes and more.