AGD reminds general dentists that the recent changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mask guidance for fully vaccinated people do not apply to healthcare settings such as dental offices. Dentists should continue to consult the "CDC Guidance for Dental Settings" and follow CDC and state screening recommendations when patients arrive at their offices.

This month, AGD Impact examines the impact service-based debt relief programs have on new dentists and the communities they serve. The issue also breaks down the DIY orthodontic craze Orthotropics, or mewing, that has gone viral on social media, and a special feature highlights four 2021 FAGD and MAGD recipients.

Are you working toward earning your AGD Fellowship? For a limited time, all Study Guides (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) and the Study Guide Supplement (2008–2015) are discounted. The Study Guides are now $50 each (previously $96), and the Study Guide Supplement is now $199 (previously $299). These discounts end May 31.

Early detection of oral and oropharyngeal cancer is essential to improving treatment options for individuals who are diagnosed with this disease. According to the American Cancer Society, about 54,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal cancer this year.

One of the biggest problems facing dental practice owners is staffing. While this problem is not new, applicant pools have become even smaller since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eric S. Studley, DDS, and Ivy Peltz, DDS, MSED, PhD, MAGD, talk about how to keep your dental staff members on board.

Scientific knowledge and technical skill are not the only qualities dental professionals need to do their jobs well. Narrative medicine is an emerging competence that encourages providers to appreciate empathy and its role in patient care.

For practice owners, managing your business operations and staying in front of patients are as important as ever. AGD wants to help you stay on top by providing special discounts on a variety of insurance and financial services and practice management products to meet the needs of your business.

AGD2021 is just around the corner — are you aware of all the offerings the AGD Foundation will have in Austin? The AGD Foundation will host free oral cancer screenings, New Dentist Lounge activities and the AGD Foundation Silent Auction.

Fear of the dentist is among the top reasons adults cite for avoiding the dentist. Every patient is unique, and individual dentists may develop their own strategies to help fearful patients, but there are several best practices to help put these patients at ease. (One Self-Instruction CE credit available.)

While the popularity of e-cigarettes continues to rise, the evidence against these products as a healthy alternative to tobacco smoking — or a safe tobacco cessation tool — continues to mount. The latest installment of General Dentistry’s literature review series outlines current and concerning research on the effects of e-cigarette use.

If you’re a new graduate, you’ve hopefully already enrolled in the complimentary malpractice coverage from our Exclusive Benefits provider Dentist’s Advantage. So why not take the next step and recommend it to your fellow graduates? The coverage lasts from the day of enrollment through April 30, 2022.

AGD is working to address the most pressing issues faced by our members as we advocate to government entities for general dentists. AGD joined the American Association for Dental Research May 5 along with other dental and healthcare stakeholders in releasing a letter of support to Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, urging the prompt release of the 2020 Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health.

The Daily Grind’s most recent blogger, Michael R. Gradeless, DDS, FACD, survived a sudden cardiac arrest and spent much of his recovery reading and thinking about retirement, work, family and our purpose in life.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has announced a new program covering costs of administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients enrolled in health plans that either do not cover vaccination fees or cover them with patient cost-sharing.

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the next generation of dentists and the educational institutions responsible for training them. The dental school application process, graduation and everything in between have been forced to adapt to the reality of the pandemic. While some changes might fade once the pandemic is over, others might be here to stay.

We’re making a webinar available for free to nonmembers on May 20 as a chance to try out AGD before joining. Share this webinar with your colleagues, and you’ll both earn $50 in Referral Rewards once they join.

Irreversible pulpitis is an acute, brief and painful condition that may prompt stress responses — namely, the release of oxytocin, cortisol and secretory immunoglobulin A. A new study in General Dentistry evaluates the effects of these stress responses as a potential risk factor during pregnancy.

Students, residents and 2020 graduates not only receive free registration and lectures at AGD2021, they also gain exclusive access to the New Dentist Lounge, which features a mentorship event and reception, free courses, refreshments, and the chance to build lifelong networking connections.

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

Invest in your practice by investing in your dental team. AGD2021 is offering 12 dental team-focused courses within a wide variety of subjects to help your staff members reach their full potential.