Becoming AGD editor has certainly been an eye-opening endeavor for me. Serving as the associate editor for four years under the tutelage of Roger D. Winland, DDS, MAGD, prepared me well for the process of reviewing article submissions and even helped me develop an editorial style. There is a lot more to do now. The team at our AGD is exceptional and well organized, and they help create the award-winning publications you read. They should be complimented and recognized for these feats.

Involvement in organized dentistry has been a part of my entire professional life. Serving on boards for both the alumni association at my dental school and the local county dental society were my ways of staying involved and giving back. I also received much in return. Camaraderie with other active members and observation of their efforts molded me into a leader. It took time. And, like eating potato chips, it’s hard to stop once you begin. I volunteered to become editor of our Michigan AGD newsletter not once but twice. Moving up the ranks seemed like a natural progression, and I eventually became president of the Michigan AGD. I later jumped at the opportunity when asked to serve on the national Communications Council.

As editor, I have another important responsibility: to serve on the Executive Committee (EC) under the strong leadership of AGD President Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, MAGD. Sitting in the EC meetings is humbling. The EC consists of a talented group of dedicated dentists whose goal is to make our AGD more viable, malleable and valuable to general dentistry. It is overwhelming to hear about all the activities that are going on behind the scenes.  

As editor, I think “The Daily Grind” can become a valuable tool to help disseminate relevant information to all our members. There are items of interest that can be presented quickly and efficiently. We need to help build this blog and get others informed about and involved with the current state of our profession as a whole and, specifically, about AGD. Our challenge is to make members aware that this blog is such a resource. I have promised to share information and stories here that I feel will be helpful in creating positive thought processes, promoting our colleagues or clinical techniques, and making us all aware of current news.

COVID-19 changed the way we communicate with each other and our patients. The way we disseminate information within AGD needs to change, too, and this blog can become a valuable tool, along with General Dentistry, AGD Impact and our “This Week at AGD,” “AGD Today” and “AGD Practice Weekly” eblasts. “The Daily Grind” can also be a method of sharing interesting stories or events that have shaped you. You never know how your experiences could impact someone reading about them. From sharing your local advocacy efforts to a great speaker’s lecture, this blog can be a useful tool to you and other members if we all do our part to make it great.