AGD Foundation Grant Program
The AGD Foundation is challenging all AGD constituencies to host an oral cancer screening event in April 2020 during Oral Cancer Awareness Month.
Show Support for Local Dental Students
We’re well into a new school year, which makes now a great time for constituencies to show support for local dental students and student chapters. Here are a few ways constituent leaders can use their enthusiasm and expertise to connect with student communities
CST Brings STAR Power to Iowa AGD
AGD staff and experienced leaders met with the Iowa AGD Sept. 27 to assist constituent leaders during their highly anticipated Strategic and Tactical Assessment and Response (STAR) Visit.

Academy of General Dentistry Endorses Oral Health Literacy Awareness Legislation
Bill (H.R. 4678) Authorizes Funding for Strategic Public Education Campaign that
Aims to Reduce Growing Oral Health Concerns
In The States
Ohio legislators have moved HB 11 to the Senate after it was passed through the House in June.
Senate Appropriators Release Draft Labor-HHS Legislation
Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), chairman of the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, revealed draft legislative text and report language for FY 2020 spending within the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services.
House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee Examines Dental Care Legislation
The House Veterans' Affairs Committee's Health Subcommittee held a legislative hearing on September 11th, to consider twelve pieces of legislation related to health policy across the VA system.
Policy Brief Examines Options to Deliver Oral Health Service to Medicare Population
Policy Options for Improving Dental Coverage for People on Medicare was published by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) on September 18th, to provide information and guide discussion on potential ways to make oral health care more available and affordable for the Medicare population.
HRSA Awards Over $85 Million in Health Center Grants for Oral Health
On September 18th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded grants of up to $300,000 to 298 health centers across the country to improve their oral health services infrastructure.
White House and Congress Escalate Fight Against Youth Vaping
Amid recent accounts of vaping-related deaths and illnesses currently being investigated by the CDC, both the Trump Administration and members of Congress are escalating their efforts to combat the youth vaping epidemic.
In The States
An Oklahoma judge ruled Johnson & Johnson liable for helping to fuel the state’s opioid crisis on Monday, August 26, and ordered the company to pay $572 million.
AMA Ends Partnership with Group Opposing Medicare Expansion
The American Medical Association confirmed it is no longer affiliated with the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future, an organization it helped found and who’s led the charge against Medicare expansion on behalf of the health care industry.
AGD Thanks and Stands Ready to Support DOC Access Sponsors
The Academy of General Dentistry formally thanked Representatives Dave Loebsack (IA-2) and Buddy Carter (GA-1) for their sponsorship of H.R. 3762, the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act.
The National Academies Publishes Proceedings on Health Literacy Roundtable
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) published the results of a December 2018 roundtable titled Integrating Oral and General Health through Health Literacy Practices.

Regional Director's Corner
Nicholas J. Russo, DMD, is the incoming regional director (RD) chair as well as the RD of Region 5, which represents the constituencies of Delaware, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Nebraska AGD Annual Meeting — June 7–9, 2019
The Nebraska AGD hosted its annual meeting June 7–9 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln, Nebraska. Friday morning kicked off with a keynote address by AGD Vice President Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, MAGD.
Bring STAR Power to Your Constituency
The AGD Strategic and Tactical Assessment and Response (STAR) program provides constituencies with a team of trained facilitators and staff to help during brainstorming, strategic planning and goal-setting meetings.
AGD’s Newest Member Benefit
AGD has teamed up with Dental Health Products Inc. (DHPI) to offer AGD members a new way to save at no additional cost to you.
Nominate a Colleague for the 2021 Weclew Award
AGD is now taking nominations for the 2021 Dr. Thaddeus V. Weclew Award. This prestigious award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the art and science of dentistry or has enhanced the principles and goals of the AGD and has made exceptional efforts in promoting these ideals.