When Chung-Lei Kao, DMD, MAGD, earned her Mastership award in June 2021 at AGD’s annual Convocation Ceremony, it did not mark the end of her educational journey. She emphasizes a thirst for knowledge in her work as equally as excellent clinical skills and patient care.

Winter break doesn’t usually mean a break on the pocketbook, unfortunately. Luckily, the savings students get through AGD can help. Whether it’s online shopping discounts for last-minute gifts or trying to trim your auto or renter’s insurance expenses, there are plenty of deals available through the Exclusive Benefits program.

AGD’s special CE offer ends Dec. 31. Access and download your 14 free on-demand webinars for 2021 before the year ticks over to 2022. Topics include sleep apnea, oral surgery, sports dentistry and much more. Taking full advantage of this offer represents over $900 in savings.

The American Heart Association has not updated its guidelines for determining whether antibiotic prophylaxis should be used to prevent infective endocarditis in cardiac patients undergoing invasive dental procedures since 2007. More recent studies suggest refinements to those guidelines, however, that would significantly impact contemporary dental practice.

There are a lot of endodontic file systems — and enough styles and philosophies on canal shaping — for any practitioner to feel like they’ve treated their patients well. AGD Impact Testing the Tools columnist Ross Isbell, DMD, MBA, recently reviewed these instruments.

This month, AGD Impact features the personal stories of three dentists and the lessons they plan to take from the pandemic. The issue also contains a feature on the dentist’s role in screening and treating pediatric obstructive sleep apnea along with a Self-Instruction exercise worth 1 CE credit.

Make your referral list and check it twice to ensure any colleagues you referred to AGD this year join before midnight on Dec. 31.

There are only a few weeks left to apply to receive AGD Fellowship, Mastership or LLSR in 2022! All applications must be received or postmarked by Dec. 31.

Many theories have been proposed to explain sialolithiasis development, but few consider the role of saliva. A new case report in General Dentistry suggests that the synergism of microbiota, biofilm and salivary dynamics plays a fundamental role in the architecture of sialoliths, creating a cyclic sialolithic mineralization.

Select the membership plan that best fits your current needs as a dentist. Premium membership keeps you on the path to becoming a more well-rounded professional. Interested in attending AGD2022 and receiving the most free CE possible along with discounts on Fellowship-related study materials? Consider a Premium Plus membership.

AGD2022’s course listing is now available. AGD's annual scientific session has earned a reputation for having some of the finest dental continuing education in the world. Meeting and course registration open Jan. 25, 2022.

This Giving Tuesday, support the AGD Foundation's Annual Appeal. The Foundation seeks to raise awareness of, increase early detection of and ultimately prevent oral/oropharyngeal cancer — all while empowering you as a general dentist.

AGD Podcast host Wes Blakeslee, DMD, FAGD, talks with Richard Madow, DDS, this month about important considerations for moving your practice forward. Madow outlines smart steps members should take to improve the experience for current patients and help recruit new patients.

The dental profession has endured the pandemic and, in doing so, learned many valuable lessons. Wellness experts Eric S. Studley, DDS, and Ivy D. Peltz, DDS, MSEd, PhD, MAGD, provide tips to mitigate stress related to future unplanned practice disruptions.

If you’ve been trying to fill vacancies on your dental team, AGD’s Career Center is an easy-to-use platform for posting employment listings and searching for eligible candidates. It can also help you manage applications, set search alerts, receive valuable reporting and more.

Gerald (Gerry) J. Botko, DMD, MS, MAGD, LLSR, FACD, FICD, describes himself as a transformational leader. And with the dental industry still recovering from the onset of a global pandemic while adjusting to a new normal, a transformational leader is exactly what the organization needs.

AGD is pleased that legislators acknowledged the concerns of general dentists and eliminated provisions to add a dental benefit to Medicare from the Build Back Better Act passed last week by U.S. House of Representatives.

Make this Black Friday a charitable one and consider donating to the AGD Foundation’s annual appeal. You can make your donation in honor of someone or simply do it for yourself. All donations help fund oral and oropharyngeal cancer awareness and screening programs, which may increase survival rates.

The Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD’s) House of Delegates installed new officers during its annual meeting, Nov. 19–21. Gerald “Gerry” Botko, DMD, MS, MAGD, LLSR, FACD, FICD, a general dentist from Boca Raton, Florida, was named president.

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