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AGD and other members of the Organized Dentistry Coalition recently sent a letter of support to Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) for the Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act (S.448).

Applications for the 2021 Distinguished Service and Humanitarian awards, which recognize exceptional achievements and contributions to the dental profession, are now open. Please consider nominating a fellow colleague by Monday, May 31.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. As part of AGD Impact’s annual recognition, the April issue includes stories that examine oral cancer from a global to a very personal level. “Oral Cancer Research Around the Globe” chronicles the most cutting-edge advancements in the fight against oral cancer.

This is your last chance to secure early bird pricing for AGD2021. Whether it’s the top-notch education or unique location you’re most excited about, AGD2021 is set to deliver an experience that lives up to its billing as the premier meeting for general dentists.

Each time you refer a colleague to join AGD , you both receive $50 in Referral Rewards. “By recruiting colleagues to join AGD, I’ve not only lowered my membership renewal cost, I’m also helping my fellow dentists,” said Filippo Marchello, DDS, MAGD.

Myofascial pain is a chronic condition that may mimic tooth pain. A new column in General Dentistry addresses this common disorder and reports a case in which a severe, persistent pain was reduced to virtually nothing when the patient received multidisciplinary treatment.

AGD2021 course registration is now open. Courses can fill up quickly, so don’t wait to register. Educational offerings range from advanced hands-on education to clinical and practice management lectures.

AGD is working to address the most pressing issues faced by our members as we advocate to government entities for general dentists. On March 26, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) urged the Biden administration and his fellow Democrats to include the expansion of Medicare benefits to cover dental, vision and hearing services in addition to lowering the eligibility age from 65 to 55 or 60 in the next infrastructure bill.

Tooth autotransplantation is the movement of a tooth from its socket into another socket within the same patient. A new case report in General Dentistry discusses a successful tooth autotransplantation in a patient with diabetes mellitus, demonstrating how this conservative approach may be utilized.

This month, AGD Impact recognizes April as Oral Cancer Awareness Month with stories that examine oral cancer from a global to a very personal level. The issue also covers the current state of stem cell research as it relates to dentistry and previews everything Austin has to offer AGD2021 attendees this summer.

This month, AGD Podcaster Wes Blakeslee, DMD, FAGD, talks with one of his patients, Tom Zarra, an oral cancer survivor. This story highlights the importance of the interactions between dentists and their patients during oral cancer treatment.

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.

AGD sent a letter of support to Representative Karen Bass (D-CA) on March 25 for her bipartisan legislation, the Foster Youth Dental Act of 2021 (H.R.1794).

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) told reporters on March 26 that he is urging the Administration and his Democratic colleagues in Congress to include a massive expansion of the Medicare program as part of a sweeping infrastructure package Democrats are currently developing.

AGD joined allies in sending letters to the leaders of the House and Senate subcommittees that allocate funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), calling for $310 million in funding in FY2022 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH).

On March 24, AGD sent a letter to Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., MBA, congratulating him on being confirmed by the Senate to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States.

On March 16, Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Representatives Anna Eshoo (R-CA) and Drew Ferguson, D.M.D. (R-GA) reintroduced ELSA, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (H.R.1916/S.754).

AGD President Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, MAGD, released a statement regarding patterns of intentional violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities that have increased starkly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each issue of AGD Impact features a Testing the Tools column with practical reviews of some of the latest dental products. This month, reviewer Ross Isbell, DMD, MBA, a general dentist in Gadsden, Alabama, tested bonding agents.

AGD2021 course registration officially opens next Wednesday, April 7. Some of the industry’s most respected speakers will deliver impactful insights in formats that range from advanced hands-on education to clinical and practice management lectures.