AGD was built by general dentists for general dentists, and tapping into the expertise of our colleagues is critical to understanding the profession’s needs. For this reason, AGD’s councils meet regularly to discuss membership, member benefits, practice and policy initiatives, legislative and advocacy efforts, communication about the profession, and the value of membership. The goal of these meetings is to ensure AGD continues to influence and advocate for general dentists and the needs of our membership.

This past weekend, the Communications, Dental Education, Dental Practice, Group Benefits, Legislative and Government A ffairs, Scientific Meetings, Membership, and PACE council members attended a Joint Council Meeting. Other individual council meetings are held remotely throughout the year to keep projects moving.

These meetings are essential because they allow members to discuss policies and procedures in detail. For example, the Dental Practice Council annually develops position papers on issues like Medicare, healthcare reform and third-party payers to ensure they are consistent with what is happening in the industry. At the same time, the Dental Education Council identifies cutting-edge continuing education opportunities and expert speakers. Other examples include the Group Benefits Council members exploring new products and services that would benefit members, and the Membership Council considering the most effective way to recruit and retain members. Meanwhile, the Communications Council discusses content ideas for all of AGD’s communication vehicles, including this newsletter and its two print publications.