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On January 7, 2025, Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) was named Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee for the 119th Congress, a key position overseeing more than 50 percent of federal spending with jurisdiction over federal tax policy; federal social safety net and health care programs, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; and implementation of foreign trade agreements.

On January 20th Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, beginning his second term. Shortly after taking office, President Trump signed a multitude of executive orders and national proclamations, including actions to strengthen border security, increase domestic energy production, and reduce the size of the federal workforce.

Get ready to register for AGD2025! Registration opens next Wednesday, Jan. 29. The first 100 full-dues-paying AGD members who register for AGD2025 will be entered into a special drawing to win a $500 airfare credit! Don’t miss this opportunity. In the meantime, learn more about the must-see attractions in historic Montréal.

While many aspiring dentists may not immediately think about working at a correctional institution upon graduation, correctional dentistry can provide a very fulfilling and stable career path. Like any dental field, it has pros and cons, but many correctional dentists find deep satisfaction in their work.

Chronic ingestion of a beta carotene–rich diet may promote the development of yellow-orange hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa. The new issue of General Dentistry details a case of this benign condition, carotenemia, which must be differentiated from more concerning disorders, particularly jaundice associated with hepatitis.

The “Take the Floor” education series is now accepting speaker abstracts! This program features 45-minute presentations exploring clinical innovations, mental health and physical well-being. This is your time to shine. Inspire, educate and make a lasting impact at AGD2025. The deadline to submit is Feb. 13.

AGD leaders met this past weekend to strategize for 2025 and beyond. In addition to their individual remote meetings throughout the year, all AGD councils meet together in person once per year to discuss the organization’s current status and develop new ways to advocate for general dentists and meet the needs of our membership.

In 2024, a job task analysis was carried out in conjunction with the AGD Fellowship Exam program. As a result, revisions have been made to the blueprint of the 2025 Fellowship Exam, study materials and content outline.

“Participating in the Academy of General Dentistry’s House of Delegates was one of the most enriching dental experiences I’ve had to date. Each day brought unique opportunities to engage with established dental professionals, to shape policy discussions, and to contribute meaningfully to the future of general dentistry by voting on important policies impacting the field we have all dedicated ourselves to."

“I am extremely grateful to have been selected as student delegate for the 2024 AGD House of Delegates (HOD). Attending the meeting allowed me to explore how organized dentistry is able to function on behalf of its members.

The 2025 10 Dentists to Watch list is live! This year’s talented young dentists bring diverse skills and ambitions to the field, united by their commitment to lifelong learning and delivering exceptional care to their patients.

AGD fact sheets provide your patients with all the information they need to maintain their oral health. Fact sheets on more than 25 oral health topics are available online for downloading and can be customized to include your name and practice information.

AGD is working to address the most pressing issues faced by our members as we advocate to government entities for general dentists.

AGD is a new partner for the Stop the Bleed program, a national initiative aimed at empowering individuals to act as immediate responders during emergencies by providing lifesaving techniques to control severe bleeding. It emphasizes public awareness, training, and equipping bystanders with the skills needed to save lives.

New research published in General Dentistry found that the W-index, a method for using panoramic radiographs to diagnose osteoporosis, can differentiate patients with normal bone mineral density or osteopenia from those with osteoporosis.

On January 6, 2025, JAMA Pediatrics released a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis entitled, Fluoride Exposure and Children’s IQ Scores. This review of 74 international studies on the effects of fluoridation in water concluded that most of the studies associated drops in children’s IQ with increasing levels of fluoridation in water.

On December 20, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government at Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 levels through March 14, 2025.

Start the new year with something that pays off—referring your colleagues for AGD membership!