AGD's "Capitol Connections" recently outlined how the organization is closely monitoring the various proposals being floated for possible inclusion within future COVID-19 relief packages, and is advocating for several priorities of great importance for dentistry. AGD will continue to be involved in the process of legislative negotiations between the various stakeholders in Congress.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has seen a rise in fraud schemes and is warning members to research companies before purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) online. It specifically reports that members should use caution and watch for counterfeit treatments or equipment, fake CDC emails, and phishing emails.

The online Practice Booster system by Charles W. Blair, DDS, helps dentists eliminate costly coding errors and recover lost revenue. Additionally, as an AGD member, when you order “Coding with Confidence,” “Administration with Confidence” or “Medical Dental Cross Coding with Confidence,” you qualify for free shipping.

Addressing your business operations and staying in front of your patients and communities are as important as ever. AGD’s Exclusive Benefits providers have a collection of offers to help sustain your practice and manage the economic effects of COVID-19.

Richard C. Engar, DDS, FAGD, answers more malpractice insurance questions that you may have during the COVID-19 crisis.

AGD podcaster Wes Blakeslee, DMD, MAGD, recently interviewed Brant Herman, founder and CEO of MouthWatch®. Herman addresses how telehealth regulations have recently been loosened, a move that usually includes teledentistry.

AGD’s “Capitol Connections” recently outlined the organization’s request that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) substantially alter or remove its recently published guidance for COVID-19 control and prevention for dentistry workers and employers. AGD sent a letter to Loren Sweatt, OSHA principal deputy assistant secretary, on May 4.

If you’re a new graduate, you’ve probably already enrolled in complimentary professional liability insurance from our Exclusive Benefits provider Dentist’s Advantage. Why not take the next step and recommend it to your fellow graduates?

AGD has created a guidance document to support AGD members as they resume elective procedures. This tool focuses on three areas: employee safety and pre-appointment, intra-appointment, and post-appointment.

The increasing number of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities calls for new approaches to assist with access to care. In the May/June issue of General Dentistry, Evan Spivack, DDS, FAGD, outlines the benefits of teledentistry in the evaluation of all patients but particularly those with disabilities.

The AGD Foundation is asking AGD members, constituencies, regions and dental companies to donate items for its 2020 Electronic Silent Auction Fundraiser. The foundation is seeking new items such as electronics, jewelry, artwork, vacation getaways, tickets to professional events and autographed sports memorabilia.

Through AGD’s Referral Rewards membership recruitment program, you can help your colleagues by connecting them with AGD’s resources, such as free webinars through May and a collection of valuable benefits to support them through COVID-19 and beyond. You’ll also both earn $50 in rewards once they join.

Whether it’s building a practice from scratch or using greener products and procedures, dentists have options when it comes to making environmentally friendly choices. Changes made in dental practices can be positive for the environment, employees, patients and bottom lines.

Did you know that organizations with current PACE approval should be submitting verification of attendance to AGD on your behalf? Whenever you register for a course, AGD recommends you check whether the organization has current AGD PACE approval on the Find a PACE Provider page of the AGD website.

AGD has joined America’s Recovery Fund Coalition — a wide-ranging group of over 100 entities pressing Congress to make additional capital available for businesses experiencing hardships due to COVID-19.

As federal policymakers and legislators work to draft bills and regulations related to COVID-19, it is a challenge and an opportunity to ensure they have a full understanding of the impact these policies have on general dentists, dental students and oral health delivery. Over the past month and a half, AGD has submitted comments and advocated for general dentists on a range of issues.

Several states have reopened or will soon allow dental offices to reopen. AGD reached out to members in many of these states to gauge their feelings on reopening while the pandemic continues and what precautions they’ve taken to protect their patients and staff members.

The May issue of AGD Impact is now live and packed with information on how to make two impactful changes in your life as a dentist. The first is on transitioning your practice to be more eco-friendly, and the second is how to choose what kind of dentist you want to be as you transition out of dental school and into the professional world.

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

The N95 mask shortage has resulted in a gray market for counterfeit masks. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has identified and seized some shipments, but others are slipping through. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided information on how to identify counterfeit masks.