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On April 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would be advancing two tobacco product standards to significantly reduce disease and death from using combusted tobacco products, the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Revenue Procedure 2021-20 PDF on April 22 for certain businesses that received first-round Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans but did not deduct any of the original eligible expenses because they relied on guidance issued before the enactment of tax relief legislation in December of 2020.

President Joe Biden detailed his "American Families Plan" (fact sheet) in a speech to Congress on Wednesday, April 28. The President's plan will seek to expand federal support for lower-income and middle-class Americans, offset by a series of tax increases on wealthy Americans' incomes, investments, and estates.

On April 22, the House Democratic leaders reintroduced H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. The legislation would allow the federal government to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs and cap seniors' out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year.

On April 29, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law is holding a hearing at 1:00 pm (ET) entitled "Treating the Problem: Addressing Anticompetitive Conduct and Consolidation in Health Care Markets."

Regular Screenings, Education and Prevention are Key

As research is completed, evidence may be discovered to further support applications of stem cells in dentistry, making this an important topic for dentists to watch in the coming years.

The AGD Foundation will make oral cancer screenings available Friday, June 11, during AGD2021 at the Austin Convention Center for scientific session attendees and at the Fairmont Austin Hotel for hotel employees.

As an associate dentist, you may be looking for ways to stretch your finances. To help save on some of your extra expenses, we want to remind members of the AGD Exclusive Benefits available to members.

AGD Editor and “The Daily Grind” blogger Timothy F. Kosinski, DDS, MAGD, discusses how each of our perspectives is essential in creating more community and information-sharing among general dentists. He also talks about AGD’s efforts to keep members informed about recent discoveries, research, news and more.

AGD is offering a two-day Fellowship Review Course at the Austin Convention Center, June 9–10. This course is designed to provide a refresher in 17 dental disciplines, and attendees may take the Fellowship Exam June 11. AGD is also offering the Virtual Fellowship Review Course as another way to prepare for the Fellowship Exam.

The AGD Foundation is reminding AGD members, constituencies, regions and dental companies to donate items for its 2021 Electronic Silent Auction Fundraiser. The foundation is seeking new items such as new dental equipment and instruments, hotel packages, professional sports tickets, sports memorabilia, etc. Donations are needed by May 1.

Don Deems, DDS, FAGD, PCC, offers advice on how to handle oral cancer when it strikes closest – one of your patients.

AGD is working to address the most pressing issues faced by our members as we advocate to government entities for general dentists. Recently, AGD and other members of the Organized Dentistry Coalition sent a letter of support for the Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act (S.448).

When Alvin S. Berger, DDS, FAGD, retired in 2002 after a 41-year career in dentistry, his life did not become any less rich or fulfilling. He shared his experiences with AGD Impact in hopes of guiding and inspiring others as they move through their own professional journeys. Read this month's Member Spotlight.

Congratulations to our soon-to-be 2021 dental school graduates! AGD Exclusive Benefits partner Dentist’s Advantage helps you start off your career right by offering professional liability insurance at no cost. Insurance is a must-have to practice, and now you’ll be covered without the extra expense.

While pharmaceutical interventions may help manage the stress that precipitates bruxism, some of these agents induce bruxism as an adverse effect. Read General Dentistry’s latest Pharmacology column for a discussion on medications that can induce bruxism and how to manage such cases.

On March 30, AGD sent a letter to Rachel L. Levine, M.D. congratulating her on being confirmed by the Senate to serve as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

On April 9, the nearly 100-member Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) announced five key policy recommendations the lawmaker group is advocating to be included in President Biden’s proposed American Jobs Plan.

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on and pass the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R.1195). The legislation directs OSHA to issue a safety and health standard that would require certain health care and social service sector employers to implement workplace violence prevention plans.