Distinguish Yourself As a Leader among Leaders! Apply for the Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition

Qualified candidates for the Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition (LLSR) are Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Masters who wholly embrace the AGD's core principles and ideals even after achieving Mastership. They continue their commitment to lifelong learning, volunteer their services to communities in need, act as mentors to associates and new dentists, and act as a voice of the general dentistry by participating in organized dentistry. There are four distinct steps that need to be accomplished in order to earn LLSR recognition.

Attaining Mastership
The AGD Mastership Award (MAGD) can be obtained by attaining Fellowship, completing 1,100 hours of approved continuing dental education, submitting an award application, and receiving the award at the convocation ceremony held at the AGD Annual Meeting & Exhibits (link to: 4).

CE Credit
You must earn 500 hours of approved continuing education credit after earning the MAGD, with at least 150 hours earned in participation courses. Credit may be earned for lectures, participation courses, self-instruction programs, teaching, and authorship of a published scientific article. Download the specific LLSR Guidelines .

Approved program providers include those accepted by AGD Program Approved Continuing Education (PACE) or American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognized Program (CERP). These programs can be local or national. We encourage you to contact all AGD Chapters, dental schools, local study clubs, and other approved providers to find out what courses are available.

LLSR applicants are required to gain knowledge in at least eight of 13 designated dental subject categories listed below. Credit is acceptable for practice management and electives, though not required.

Basic Science 010
Endodontics 070
MPD/Occlusion 180
Operative Dentistry 250
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 310
Orthodontics 370
Pediatric Dentistry 430
Periodontics 490
Fixed Prosthodontics 610
Removable Prosthodontics 670
Implants 690
Oral Medicine/Oral Diagnosis 730
Special Patient Care 780

Earn Service Points
Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition Candidates must also complete at least 100 hours of AGD-approved dental-related community/volunteer service and/or service to organized dentistry. Hours must have been performed since the date of Mastership was received or since a previous LLSR was received.

Community and Volunteer Service:

1. One community service point is equal to one hour of volunteer community service. The Council on Dental Education will determine which additional categories of service not described in these guidelines may be eligible. Volunteer work for a for-profit organization, such as a dental manufacturer, is not eligible.
2. To document community service, a representative of the organization for which the community/volunteer work was done must document in writing the type and term of service. A letter from the organization, specifying the volunteer work, number of hours volunteered, and the date of service is preferred. A form, which must be signed by an official from that organization, is available from the AGD to be used in lieu of a letter.
3. No financial remuneration of “in-kind” remuneration may be received for service/volunteer work. Reimbursement of expenses such as airfare, transportation, meals, etc., is allowed.
4. Categories of community and volunteer service may include, but are not limited to:
1. Providing pro bono dental services through a not-for-profit organization
2. Mentoring a student, emerging dentist, or struggling colleague, through a recognized dental organization
3. Service in a volunteer dental clinic
4. Service overseas on a dental mission
5. Volunteer service in a community program, such as a health fair
6. Providing presentation on dental-related topics to schools, civic, church, or other community groups or other health professionals
7. Providing oral cancer screenings at a local church, synagogue, school, health fair, nursing home, retirement community, etc.
8. Providing dental screenings to athletes through the Special Olympics Special Smiles®
9. Volunteer work at a local or national dental meeting, such as working at the organization’s booth
10. Serving as an unpaid team dentist for a school, college, professional sports team, or youth athletic association
11. Instituting a mouth guard program for a school, college, professional sports team, or youth athletic association
12. Providing dental education programs at elementary or secondary schools
13. Volunteering as a Boy/Girl Scout merit badge leader for dental health

Service to Organized Dentistry:
Holding a local, state/provincial, or national appointment or an elected office in a dental organization is considered service to organized dentistry. Points are awarded for each month of service, up to 12 points per year per national or local organization.

1. A maximum of 12 points may be earned annually for serving in a national position in a dental organization. Service time of less than one year will be prorated by month. Holding multiple positions at the national level in the same organization is acceptable only up to the 12-point limit each year.
2. A maximum of 12 points may be earned annually for serving in state/provincial, constituent or component positions in a dental organization. Service time of less than one year will be prorated by month. Holding multiple positions in the same local organization is acceptable only up to the 12-point limit each year.