This week, my family will celebrate Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays. Although this year’s holiday and the way we observe it will be much different than previous years, I know that I will continue my family’s tradition of recognizing the many reasons we are grateful. This year, I want to share a few of the reasons I am thankful for my AGD community, too. 



With the unprecedented and ever-changing challenges we have faced in 2020, AGD members have transformed our operations and care delivery models to ensure the safety of our communities, our teams and ourselves. Throughout this pandemic, we have demonstrated that our profession is critical to our community as healthcare providers and employers. As president of AGD, I have had the privilege to see firsthand the ways our members have supported each other in ways that are important for our future.

I am grateful for this community of infection control experts. As general dentists, we have extensive training in infection control and the delivery of oral healthcare. We are more than qualified to make informed decisions regarding treatment procedures and protocols in our offices. Over the past few months, we have demonstrated our effectiveness in determining how best to apply the rules of our state, dental boards and regulatory agencies and adapt these options to our workspace and clinical operations. This strong record has ensured that dental offices are safe from the transmission of COVID-19. We must continue to lean into these skills as we address this evolving situation. (Learn more about some of these efforts.)
 
I am grateful for the ways we are committed to the profession and each other. AGD members speak up when necessary and support oral health and general dentistry. Being part of a professional group like AGD is so important. The voices of general dentists are essential to discussions about this pandemic, and I am proud of the work we are doing to keep our needs and those of our patients at the forefront. We are advocating for general dentists every day. We are vital to our communities, and we must not waiver in our focus and commitment to lead during this crisis. This collective purpose will help us through and create a bright future. (Want to get involved further? Learn about our Take Action alerts.) 

I am grateful to be among the best in dentistry. The quantity and quality of CE and ongoing training completed each year by AGD members allows us to stand out among others in the dental community. This year, AGD’s CE has included a vast collection of programs covering a variety of subjects, enabling us to confidently move as the science around COVID-19 transmission, testing and treatment evolves. We seek experiences that will increase our knowledge and enable us to make informed decisions regarding treatment procedures and protocols. I truly appreciate the ways our members strive to be their best to deliver exceptional care. (Check out the COVID-19 education series.)

I am grateful to be essential to the health of our community. We must continue to emphasize the importance of dentistry to our patients’ overall health. The mouth is the gateway to the body, and maintaining good oral health is essential. We must continue to drive the narrative around oral health. Patients trust their dentists, and we must not let others dictate our role in healthcare. 

I want to wish you safety and good health this holiday season, as well as thank you for all you do to support each other. I hope that you take time over the next few days to rest and reenergize. While 2020 has been an exceptionally stressful year, reflecting on the reasons you are grateful can help you as you face the busy final weeks of this year. 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, MAGD
AGD President