This Week at AGD

Dentistry is experiencing a staffing crisis at a level never before seen. We have lost many dental hygienists and other staff members from the workforce, and this dynamic is now beginning to have a significant impact on practice productivity, efficiency and, for some practices, office hour availability.

View AGD’s entire library of online CE at the Online Learning Center. New on-demand webinar content is added monthly. Members will find a plethora of options for improving their skills, fulfilling state accreditation requirements, and ultimately working toward the AGD Fellowship and Mastership awards.

Check out your AGD Exclusive Benefits discounts that come with being a member. Whether it’s finding lower rates on credit card processing or office supplies, getting discounts on administrative services, or providing patients with financing options, AGD has you covered.

AGD is offering a two-day Fellowship Review Course at AGD2023, July 19–20, designed to provide a refresher in 17 dental disciplines. Attendees may take the Fellowship Exam the following day. Registrants will also receive an electronic Fellowship Exam Study Guide and downloadable course handouts.

Do you know a colleague who isn’t a member but would be the perfect match for AGD? Now’s your chance to introduce them to the benefits of membership and earn yourself $50 in Referral Rewards for each new member you recruit.

In partially edentulous patients, prototypes for increasing the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) have been fabricated using an overlay removable partial denture (RPD) with acrylic resin covering the existing dentition.

Check out the latest podcast with Wes Blakeslee, DMD, FAGD, as he explores oral pathology with Ashley Clark, DDS. Clark discusses the importance of early diagnosis, leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma, and why the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is so important.

The AGD2023 Virtual Lecture Package will allow you to earn up to 24 credit hours across eight lectures that will be livestreamed directly from AGD2023, July 19–22.

Meet the 2022 AGD Humanitarian Award winner, Fabiola Milord, DDS, FAGD, who has taken her service to the next level by serving as a catalyst and inspiration for her peers to participate in voluntary service.

This month, AGD Impact focuses on cybersecurity and protections general dentists should take in their practices to reduce their vulnerability. Additional stories include a dental workforce check-in and perspectives from our wellness and student columnists. This issue includes one Self-Instruction exercise worth one CE credit.

This month, AGD Impact Testing the Tools reviewer Ross Isbell, DMD, MBA, a general dentist in Gadsden, Alabama, tested a flowable composite material, a mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) material and hybrid composite blocks.

A new study in General Dentistry describes a series of orthognathic surgery cases in which a clear aligner system was used for orthodontic treatment. Good results were achieved, and no damage was noted during the orthosurgical treatment.

AGD’s Online Learning Center contains 160+ on-demand webinars, with subjects including but not limited to 250 Operative (Restorative) Dentistry, 610 Prosthodontics, 690 Implants and 780 Esthetics/Cosmetic Dentistry. Take advantage of the AGD member rate, and earn CE at your convenience.

AGD Impact columnist Jackie Ulasewich Cullen breaks down strategies for the common goals most dental practices must have for success, including a solid website and at least a minor online presence, plus a marketing budget and a timeline.

AGD2023 course registration is now open! To view all educational opportunities, register today, and begin planning your schedule before courses fill up. If you’re unable to attend in person, the AGD2023 Virtual Lecture Package will offer a livestream option for select courses in Las Vegas.

AGD is seeking nominations for the 2023 Albert L. Borish, Distinguished Service and Humanitarian awards, which recognize exceptional achievements and contributions to the dental profession. Do you know an outstanding colleague whom you would like to see honored and recognized for their efforts?

This Friday, Jan. 27, at 5 p.m. CST, is your last chance to become a speaker at AGD2023! AGD Fellows and Masters can submit abstracts for 10- to 15-minute "Dental Pearls Presentations," and all members can submit abstracts for 50-minute "Emerging Speakers" lectures.

If you are a dental student graduating this year, be sure to claim your complimentary coverage. AGD’s Exclusive Benefits provider Dentist’s Advantage offers our new graduates and residents malpractice insurance at no cost.

On Jan. 5, the Massachusetts attorney general announced that Aspen Dental agreed to a $3.5 million settlement to end a lawsuit accusing the company of bait-and-switch advertising. Massachusetts asserted that Aspen Dental charged patients for services it advertised as “free” and claimed that it accepted “all” insurance when it does not accept Medicaid.

AGD2023 course registration officially opens this Wednesday! AGD’s scientific session includes some of the industry’s most respected speakers and features over 82 courses (33 of which are hands-on) along with six learning lab courses and much, much more.