This Week at AGD

Members applying for the 2021 Fellowship Award must pass the Fellowship Exam by Dec. 31, 2020. Applications to schedule an appointment to take the exam must be received by AGD no later than Dec. 11, 2020.

AGD’s Exclusive Benefits program is excited to announce the addition of a premium full-service dental lab provider. Keating Dental Lab now offers AGD members a 10% discount on average on all dental lab services.

The upcoming AGD Advocacy Conference is Saturday, Nov. 14. This is your opportunity to learn about the most prominent legislative issues impacting general dentistry and ways you can work more closely with your legislative and regulatory leaders.

AGD's scientific session has some of the finest dental continuing education in the world. Distinguished speakers deliver valuable insights in formats ranging from advanced hands-on education to clinical and practice management lectures.

The latest issues of AGD Impact and General Dentistry are both available to read online.

Working at the local level, AGD constituents do tremendous work to advance AGD’s mission and vision. Their outstanding efforts were also recognized during AGD’s virtual annual meeting.

General dentistry benefits from the talents of so many people, and AGD leaders were pleased to honor members at its annual meeting, held virtually this year, Oct. 23–25.

The Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD’s) House of Delegates installed new officers during its annual meeting, held virtually this year, Oct. 23–25. Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, MAGD, a general dentist from Fayetteville, West Virginia, was named president.

Fourth-quarter promotional codes and manufacturer offers are now available for AGDVANTAGE members. View the new online flyer to browse promotions. Call 800.626.2163 to create or update your existing account. Be sure to mention your AGD member number.

AGD is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Dr. Thaddeus V. Weclew Award. To nominate a deserving colleague or educator, contact education@agd.org, and request a nomination form. The nomination deadline is Dec. 1, 2020.

The risk of malpractice claims and lawsuits are enough to scare any dentist, so we’ve arranged for all AGD new graduates and residents to receive professional liability insurance from Dentist’s Advantage at no cost. It’s one of the treats of AGD membership.

On Oct. 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an updated communication about SARS-CoV-2 and the potential for airborne transmission. The CDC has found that less infection is spread in contact or “fomite transmission.” Epidemiologic assessments have found that most infections are spread through close contact and not airborne transmission.

No matter your experience level, this guide is a must-have for every practice. Learn the different types of medical codes, how to complete the medical claim form and how to submit proper claims to medical payers.

A report published in the November 2020 Journal of the American Dental Association found that COVID-19 prevalence and positive rates among dentists were low and concluded that “current infection controls recommendations may be sufficient to prevent infection in dental settings.”

Dr. White shares perspectives on unusual times during her AGD presidency.

On Sep. 24, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided recommendations about the use of dental amalgam in certain groups who may be at greater risk of potential adverse health effects of mercury exposure, including pregnant and/or nursing women and people with certain preexisting conditions.

On Oct. 2, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) released the consensus study report, "Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine."

Now more than ever, it is important that general dentists use their voices in legislative and regulatory policy planning. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need for AGD members to stay informed and active. This year, the annual AGD Advocacy Conference will be held virtually on Saturday, Nov. 14.

AGD Impact’s Testing the Tools columnist Ross Isbell, DMD, MBA, shares some favorite PPE items along with other tools that he feels are above average to help as general dentists address new standards of care.

AGD wants to help alleviate some of the stress that comes along with school for our dental student members, so we’ve worked out some special savings just for you.