The 2025 AGD House of Delegates approved several updates to the guidelines governing the Fellowship, Mastership, and Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition (LLSR) awards. These guidelines serve as official AGD policy, and the AGD Dental Education Council is responsible for evaluating candidates for these honors based on the updated criteria.

Among the approved changes is the addition of a new Sleep Medicine subject code to the AGD Subject Code list, reflecting the growing importance of sleep medicine in comprehensive patient care. Additional changes impacting the Mastership Award will take effect Jan. 1, 2029. Members pursuing Mastership will be required to complete 12 participation hours in Sleep Medicine, and minimum hour requirements in eight existing subject areas will be adjusted to better align with the knowledge and skills needed in today’s dental practice environment.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the number of continuing education hours earned as a student member that may be applied toward Fellowship Award requirements will increase from 50 to 100.

Updates were also approved for the LLSR program. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, members may begin accumulating service points for LLSR eligibility starting Jan. 1 of the year in which they receive their Fellowship, rather than after earning Mastership.

These changes are designed to better support AGD members’ educational pathways while ensuring AGD awards continue to reflect the evolving standards of modern dentistry.  

Learn more about the Fellowship, Mastership and LLSR programs.