Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) President Chethan Chetty, DDS, MAGD, recently penned a letter reflecting on his term and the future of general dentistry as he prepares to conclude his presidency during AGD’s Annual Meeting next week.

In a message shared with members, Chetty expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the organization’s president and pride in the organization’s accomplishments over the past year.

“Serving as AGD president has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life, an experience I will always treasure,” Chetty said. “Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with AGD members, general dentists and leaders from across the United States, Canada and even India. The common thread is that we all share a deep commitment to advancing oral health and the future of our profession.”

Since being elected vice president in 2022, Chetty along with AGD leaders have focused on evolving AGD to better serve its members and strengthen its voice on issues affecting the profession.

“Our core goal was to evolve the AGD to be more responsive to the needs of our members today, and every strategic choice we made spoke directly to that intention,” he said.

Chetty emphasized the importance of advocacy and education as core pillars of AGD’s mission, particularly as dentists face new challenges tied to insurance policies, government regulations and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

“In today’s world, being a great dentist isn’t enough,” he said. “If we want to truly have a voice in the direction of our profession, it is through organizations like AGD that we protect the rights of both our members and our patients.”

During his term, AGD strengthened relationships across the dental profession, collaborating with the American Dental Association, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, American Association of Endodontists and the American College of Dentists to advance shared goals for patient safety and professional growth.

Chetty also underscored the role of continuing education in sustaining professional excellence. He encouraged members to take part in future AGD events, including AGD2026, scheduled for June 24–27, 2026, in Las Vegas, which will feature esthetic and restorative expert, David Hornbrook, DDS, FAACD, FACE, FASDA, along with hands-on learning and networking opportunities.

 “As I look ahead, I’m confident that AGD will continue to lead the way in championing lifelong learning, strong advocacy and powerful professional connections,” Chetty said. “The future of dentistry is in all our hands. Our greatest power comes from standing together for each other and for our patients.”

Chetty’s presidency will conclude with the installation of Marc Worob, DDS, FAGD, as AGD president during the Annual Meeting in Chicago on Nov. 16, 2025.