FAQs: Join AGD
How do I join?
You can join online or download a form and mail or fax it in with your payment.
Who is eligible to be a member of the AGD?
Any general dentist, specialty dentist, GPR or AEGD resident, dental student, dental team member, international dentist, or other person who supports the aims and objectives of the AGD.
What are the different categories of membership?
Active General Dentist, Associate, Affiliate, Recent Graduate, Resident, and Student
I am a dental team member. Can I be a member of the AGD?
Dental team members qualify for the AGD’s Affiliate membership category. Affiliate members are given full access to the AGD Web site, receive the publications AGD Impact and General Dentistry, and get FREE registration for the AGD Annual Meeting & Exhibits if accompanied by a fully registered dentist.
I am a dentist practicing in a specialty. Can I become a member of the AGD?
Dentists practicing in a specialty are eligible for our Associate Membership category. Specialty dentists must meet the following qualifications:
- Have graduated from a school of dentistry accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC),
- OR have successfully completed a CODA or CDAC-accredited specialty residency program,
- OR hold a license to practice dentistry in any state or territory in the United States or province or territory of Canada.
I am an international dentist. Can I become a member of the AGD?
There are a variety of circumstances that would determine your membership classification as an international dentist.
- If you are an international dentist who holds a current license within the U.S. or Canada, you are eligible for our Active General Dentist category of membership.
- If you are an international dentist who graduated from a CODA or CDAC-accredited dental school, you are eligible for our Active General Dentist category of membership.
- If you are an international dentist practicing in a dental specialty, have graduated from a school of dentistry accredited by CODA or CDAC, or have successfully completed a CODA or CDAC-accredited specialty residency program, AND hold a license to practice dentistry in any state or territory in the United States or province or territory of Canada you are eligible for our Associate membership category.
- If you are an international dentist but do not meet the above criteria, you are eligible for our Affiliate category of membership.
Still not sure? Contact the Membership Services Center at 888.243.3368 or membership@agd.org.
What is the annual cost for AGD membership?
Click on the links below to view the current membership application which includes rates.
Active General Dentist $347.00(US) $342.00(Canada) $290.00 (Puerto Rico)
Associate 347.00 (US)342.00 (Canada)290.00 (Puerto Rico)
Affiliate 174.00 () 171.00 145.00
Resident 70.00() 69.00 58.00
2009 Graduate 70.00() 69.00 58.00
2008 Graduate 139.00() 137.00 117.00
2007 Graduate 208.00 ()206.00 174.00
2006 Graduate 278.00 ()274.00 232.00
Student 16.00 (US)16.00 16.00
What are some of the different dues payment options?
Check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, Discover
NOTE: Payments for Canadian members can only be accepted via VISA, MasterCard, or check.
What type of membership does the AGD offer to dentists who are retired from practice?
Retired membership status is available to those who has been an active general dentist member of the AGD for 10 years or more, is now a retired member of his or her constituent AGD, and no longer earns income from the performance of service as a member of the faculty of a dental school, as a dental administrator or consultant, or as a practitioner of any activity for which a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene is required by the state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a dependency of the United States, or Canada.
To apply for retired membership status, the active general dentist member shall submit an affidavit attesting to his or her retirement to the AGD’s executive director. AGD Headquarters will send notification to the AGD constituent of the application, and the constituent will have 30 days to provide input prior to AGD Headquarters’ decision.
Is there a special membership dues rate for dentists who are 65 or older and practicing 5 to 20 hours a week?
There are no special dues based on age with the exception of Emeritus status. Emeritus status is defined as an active general dentist member, associate, or retired member in good standing with dues and assessments having been paid who has been a continuous member for 30 consecutive years or 35 non-consecutive years. Upon becoming 65 years old, this member may be classified as a member emeritus upon application to the executive director, verified with AGD’s records, followed by subsequent notification of the constituent AGD.
There is also the Part-time Practitioner Dues Waiver. Those who are eligible are defined as any active member whose dues are current and who has been a member of the Academy for at least four years and has now elected to engage in the practice of dentistry for less than 15 hours a week, in a calendar year. Amount of said waiver is determined by the House of Delegates. (Currently the dues are $174+part time constituent dues)
I just completed my residency and am not yet in a practice. Are there special dues rates?
If they are recent graduates, they would qualify for the discounted dues rate from the year that they graduated, up to four years out of dental school. We do not offer a special rate for those members not in practice. There are dues waivers for members who are having financial hardships.
When will I be asked to renew my AGD membership?
The dues cycle begins in October with an e-invoice to those members who have provided e-mail addresses. The first mailed notification begins in November. The deadline to renew membership is March 31.
Are my AGD membership dues tax deductible?
Yes, membership dues are tax deductible as a business expense. Per the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, however, please note that 1.2 percent of your 2009 membership dues payment is not deductible as a business expense because it is allocable to lobbying activities of the organization. Please check with your accountant or tax advisor for detailed information.
How long before I receive my member benefits?
As soon as your membership application has been processed and you’ve received confirmation with your Member ID number. This typically takes one to two weeks.
Who should I contact with questions about my membership?
You can contact the AGD Membership Services Center, toll-free, at 888.243.3368 or membership@agd.org.
