AGD President Dr. Connie L. White Urges General Dentists to Remain Resilient
Perspectives on Unusual Times During Her AGD Presidency
On Sunday, I will hand over my responsibilities as president of AGD to Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, MAGD, during the 2020 virtual annual meeting. It has been my honor to serve AGD and the general dentistry profession. This is truly the pinnacle of my 40-year professional career.
2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for all of us. It is through the commitment and resiliency of our members and our leaders that we’ve faced our challenges, advocated for our needs and resumed operations.
Dentistry has changed in unforeseen ways this year, and there is no “business as usual” to return to now. For me, academics, mentoring young people, and my love of learning and dentistry have been my life, and these values have been my guide as AGD dealt with the challenges we are facing this year. As you move ahead during the coming months, I have a few departing thoughts I’d like to share:
We understand our profession. Now, more than ever, we must remind others that we understand our profession best, and we know the best ways to provide care and keep people safe. AGD’s guidance during this crisis was grounded in the fact that dentists are experts in the delivery of oral healthcare and infection control and are therefore best qualified to make informed decisions regarding treatment procedures and protocols in their offices. Of course, you must comply with the rules of your state, dental board and regulatory agencies, but, as dentists, we can determine how to make that happen with our staff and workplace. There is no one-size-fits-all situation.
Value community. Great leaders become great leaders when they see others in action, demonstrating how to support their patients, staff and colleagues. I encourage you to get involved locally. I believe that our most important contributions are in the communities where we live. It is where leadership and learning begin and where we serve our patients and support our teams.
AGD is the ultimate pathway to mentorship. New dentists and dental students see AGD members using their work in dentistry to make a difference in the lives of their patients and their communities, and they feel that shared commitment to the profession. (Learn more about AGD’s mentorship opportunities.)
Commit to lifelong learning. AGD is an organization created for general dentists by general dentists. The education available through AGD is an example of how our volunteer leaders are willing to work to support the entire profession. Our commitment to lifelong learning and helping our members stay informed about dental practice and oral health has never faltered. I encourage you to take advantage of all the education offered through AGD to be prepared for the future.
Are you a Fellow or Master? Take a moment to check out your CE transcript, and find out what is needed to achieve these impressive awards. Many of our members accumulated a significant amount of CE in 2020, and this might be the right time to take the Fellowship Exam or apply for the Mastership Award. (And don’t forget about Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition.)
AGD has a wealth of online education, and our AGD2021 scientific session in Austin, Texas, will be exceptional. Check out the full list of current offerings.
Use your voice. AGD is made up of dedicated and profoundly passionate members who live and breathe the fight to support our profession. They don’t accept the status quo but rather use their voices and networks to advance our work. Our leaders who work on dental practice and legislative and advocacy efforts stay apprised of all policy impacting general dentists to ensure regulatory leaders recognize the important role we play in the health of our communities as healthcare providers and employers. We are in regular communication with these policymakers and work to inform these discussions.
Advocating for our profession is where our influence really matters, and we need all of you to speak on behalf of the profession. (Stay informed by checking out Take Action alerts, and sign up for the upcoming Advocacy Conference.)
Remember the power of a smile. As you preserve and protect the smiles of our patients and communities, take time to find things that make you smile, too. Dentistry can be a tough profession, so be kind to yourself and others. Remember the things that make you smile, and find ways to enjoy them more often. You have the power to make a difference; don’t lose sight of those opportunities.
I believe that working together as a group has never been more important. General dentists are vital to our communities, and we must not waiver in our focus. We must continue to lead during this crisis and in the future. Organizations are defined not by their challenges but by how they respond to them, and I am impressed by the ways AGD members have responded to COVID-19. These are trying times, but I know that this collective purpose will help us make it through and create a bright future.
Thank you for all you are doing. Stay safe.
Connie L. White, DDS, FAGD
President, Academy of General Dentistry
On Sunday, I will hand over my responsibilities as president of AGD to Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, MAGD, during the 2020 virtual annual meeting. It has been my honor to serve AGD and the general dentistry profession. This is truly the pinnacle of my 40-year professional career.
2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for all of us. It is through the commitment and resiliency of our members and our leaders that we’ve faced our challenges, advocated for our needs and resumed operations.
Dentistry has changed in unforeseen ways this year, and there is no “business as usual” to return to now. For me, academics, mentoring young people, and my love of learning and dentistry have been my life, and these values have been my guide as AGD dealt with the challenges we are facing this year. As you move ahead during the coming months, I have a few departing thoughts I’d like to share:
We understand our profession. Now, more than ever, we must remind others that we understand our profession best, and we know the best ways to provide care and keep people safe. AGD’s guidance during this crisis was grounded in the fact that dentists are experts in the delivery of oral healthcare and infection control and are therefore best qualified to make informed decisions regarding treatment procedures and protocols in their offices. Of course, you must comply with the rules of your state, dental board and regulatory agencies, but, as dentists, we can determine how to make that happen with our staff and workplace. There is no one-size-fits-all situation.
Value community. Great leaders become great leaders when they see others in action, demonstrating how to support their patients, staff and colleagues. I encourage you to get involved locally. I believe that our most important contributions are in the communities where we live. It is where leadership and learning begin and where we serve our patients and support our teams.
AGD is the ultimate pathway to mentorship. New dentists and dental students see AGD members using their work in dentistry to make a difference in the lives of their patients and their communities, and they feel that shared commitment to the profession. (Learn more about AGD’s mentorship opportunities.)
Commit to lifelong learning. AGD is an organization created for general dentists by general dentists. The education available through AGD is an example of how our volunteer leaders are willing to work to support the entire profession. Our commitment to lifelong learning and helping our members stay informed about dental practice and oral health has never faltered. I encourage you to take advantage of all the education offered through AGD to be prepared for the future.
Are you a Fellow or Master? Take a moment to check out your CE transcript, and find out what is needed to achieve these impressive awards. Many of our members accumulated a significant amount of CE in 2020, and this might be the right time to take the Fellowship Exam or apply for the Mastership Award. (And don’t forget about Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition.)
AGD has a wealth of online education, and our AGD2021 scientific session in Austin, Texas, will be exceptional. Check out the full list of current offerings.
Use your voice. AGD is made up of dedicated and profoundly passionate members who live and breathe the fight to support our profession. They don’t accept the status quo but rather use their voices and networks to advance our work. Our leaders who work on dental practice and legislative and advocacy efforts stay apprised of all policy impacting general dentists to ensure regulatory leaders recognize the important role we play in the health of our communities as healthcare providers and employers. We are in regular communication with these policymakers and work to inform these discussions.
Advocating for our profession is where our influence really matters, and we need all of you to speak on behalf of the profession. (Stay informed by checking out Take Action alerts, and sign up for the upcoming Advocacy Conference.)
Remember the power of a smile. As you preserve and protect the smiles of our patients and communities, take time to find things that make you smile, too. Dentistry can be a tough profession, so be kind to yourself and others. Remember the things that make you smile, and find ways to enjoy them more often. You have the power to make a difference; don’t lose sight of those opportunities.
I believe that working together as a group has never been more important. General dentists are vital to our communities, and we must not waiver in our focus. We must continue to lead during this crisis and in the future. Organizations are defined not by their challenges but by how they respond to them, and I am impressed by the ways AGD members have responded to COVID-19. These are trying times, but I know that this collective purpose will help us make it through and create a bright future.
Thank you for all you are doing. Stay safe.
Connie L. White, DDS, FAGD
President, Academy of General Dentistry