Just by registering for AGD 2016 in Boston, you automatically receive access to an exclusive Self-Instruction exercise. Here’s how to take it:

1. Read “Adopting Caries Risk Assessment in All Practice Environments” written by Piyush Patel, DDS, and Claire Mills, BS, in the July/August 2016 issue of General Dentistry.
2. Take the exam online.

This exercise results in 2 CE credits and can be purchased at the member rate of $30.

Self-Instruction allows members to earn CE credit anytime, anywhere through each issue of General Dentistry, the AGD’s award-winning, peer-reviewed clinical journal. General Dentistry features various topics in dentistry and related “open-book” exercises. All exercises are developed by and for general dentists, ensuring that you’re getting CE that will benefit you, your patients, and your practice.

Sleep Apnea in Dentistry

How familiar are you with sleep apnea? Did you know that in an average-sized dental practice approximately 440 patients are at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) continues to rise among men and women, and often goes undetected. Many people don’t realize that oral appliance therapy can help treat OSA and SAS.

This full-day course will educate dental professionals on what OSA is and how it relates to dentistry. Discussions will include:

• Terminology used in sleep medicine.
• Knowledge of sleep disordered breathing conditions.
• The pathophysiology of OSA.
• The comorbidities of OSA.
• An introduction to oral appliance designs.
• The role of dentistry in treating OSA.

Learn more and sign up today!

What’s New and What Works in Endodontics

General dentists who attend “What’s New and What Works in Endodontics Part I & Part II” will master the skills needed to perform endodontic treatments, and take their practice to the next level.

This is a two-day course with one day focusing on the lecture portion and the second day allowing participants to view a hands-on demonstration of what was taught during the lecture. Topics include:

Cleaning and shaping the root canal system, and avoiding file fracture and other inadvertent complications.

• Understanding how to implement glide path files to improve procedural efficiency.
• Exploring the available options for effective irrigation.
• The role of obturation in endodontic care and the use of new obturation materials.
• Modern techniques in non-surgical retreatment.

Attendees will leave this course equipped with techniques that will lead to more consistent, predictable, and efficient root canal treatments.

Learn more and sign up for both sections today!

Code with Confidence

With recent changes in the healthcare industry, it is important for dental staff to understand insurance coding and become familiar with ICD-10 (diagnosis) and CPT (medical procedure) codes to ensure proper billing.

“Meeting the Challenges of Dental and Medical Coding with Confidence” gives dentists and dental team members an overview of changes in healthcare brought about after the introduction to the Affordable Care Act, proper diagnostic coding for dental and medical claims, and ways for staff to file claims with confidence.

Without proper training, misfiled claims can result in lost profits for the practice or even legal action. Ensure you and your team are fully trained on how to bill insurance accurately and efficiently by signing up for this course today.

AGD 2016 — The Dental Experience You Don’t Want to Miss

The AGD prides itself on being an association with the best and brightest in the dental field. Members value our annual meeting and view it as a special time to come together with other dentists, while networking and forming new relationships through the bond of general dentistry.

AGD 2016 will be a weekend full of education, networking, and camaraderie between dental professionals at every stage.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to explore Boston with dental professionals like yourself from across the country. Whether you’re a student, recent grad, Fellowship or Mastership awardee, or longtime practicing dentist, you do not want to miss AGD 2016.

Four Hours of Early Dental Career Advice From Four Top Consultants

New graduates often spend the first years after graduation consumed with figuring out the quickest way to begin earning a steady income and paying off student loan debt. Almost every dentist has gone through this, and sometimes a little bit of advice is all it takes to point someone in the right direction.

In an effort to consistently go above and beyond just “a little bit,” the AGD has assembled a lecture and panel presented by some of the top education and consulting firms in the dental industry: igniteDDS, Dr. Charles Blair and Associates, Cain Watters & Associates, and The Pankey Institute.

Most importantly, this presentation is free to all dental students and recent graduates.

“Out on Your Own: What They Don’t Teach You in Dental School,” takes place Saturday, July 16 from 2 to 6 p.m. The day will include a lecture followed by a panel discussion on topics such as:

• Two-to-three-doctor independent practices.
• The risks of associateship compared to ownership.
• Relationship-building and communicating with patients.

Everyone in attendance also will be invited to an evening reception with free cocktails and the chance to network one-on-one with the speakers, sponsors, and AGD members. Space is limited, so please be sure to register as early as possible by visiting www.agd2016.org.

Crest Oral-B is the Presenting Sponsor of this course.

Sponsored in part by 3M.

Time is Running Out — Register Today!

Where has the time gone? AGD 2016 is quickly approaching and that means the advance registration rate is only available for a little while longer.

Register by May 19 to receive the advanced rate of $199 AGD member/$665 non-member/$45 dental team. After May 19 rates increase to $279 AGD member/$770 non-member/$75 dental team.

In addition, if you plan on staying at the one of our partnering hotels, the Sheraton Boston Hotel, Boston Marriott Copley Place, or the recently added Hilton Boston Back Bay, please book your reservations soon as rooms are filling up quickly.

Have you checked out the course list lately? Make sure to sign up for your preferred courses, as there are few spots remaining!

Finalize your plans for AGD 2016 today, and we’ll see you in Boston!

The Technology That Will Change Your Practice

“This technology allows all of us to be better dentists. This is how you grow your practice.”  - Don Tyndall, DDS

Three dimensional imaging is becoming the standard in dentistry. This technology allows you to stay on the forefront of dentistry, while educating and engaging your patients so they fully understand their oral health.

"Elevate Your Practice at a 3D Summit on Digital Dentistry" is a four-part lecture presented by Dentsply Sirona on the future of dentistry.

Key highlights  include:

• A comprehensive overview of 3D technology and how to incorporate it into your practice
• The knowledge of how to analyze and interpret 3D scans
• How digital integration can make placing implants more attainable, predictable, safe, and profitable for a practice

This course is a must for all dental professionals wanting to grow their practice and ensure they are up-to-date with technological advances in the industry.

Learn more about this unique course and sign up today.

Launch Your Dental Career Down the Right Path

We’ve just added two new offerings from the Pankey Institute to the educational lineup at AGD 2016. These courses will help guide students, recent grads, residents, and new practicing dentists down the career path that makes the most sense for them.

The lecture course will be hosted by Elizabeth Martin, DDS; Richard Hunt, DDS; and Dale Sorenson, DDS. Topics include:

• Comprehensive Care — Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
• Transitioning Your Dental Practice from ‘Insurance-Based,’ to ‘Fee-For-Service’
• Excellence in Anterior Preparations: The Synthesis of Art and Science

Following the lecture, panelist will hold a brief Q&A session for attendees.

The participation course will discuss:

• Essential preparation design and techniques for creating esthetic, biocompatible and optimum-fitting restorations
• Step-by-step rationale for successful and consistent anterior tooth preparations
• Selecting the proper burs and diamonds critical to achieving success

The lecture is free to students and new dentists. Learn more about Pankey’s New Dentist Symposium and Excellence in Anterior Preparations: The Synthesis of Art and Science.

Free Learning Labs

This year AGD 2016 has a lot to offer on the exhibit floor. Besides visiting participating vendors, there will be multiple Learning Labs available for attendees to further grow their practice. Each Learning Lab is approximately 50 minutes in length, will provide one hour of continuing education credit to attendees, and are free to attend. These 50-minute lectures are open to members and non-members.

The courses are unique and crucial for positioning yourself at the top of your dental practice.

During these sessions, participants will be educated on:

• Website design and Internet marketing
• Financial management
• Cultivating successful dental partnerships
• Instrument check-up 
• Much more! 

You won’t want to miss these unique lectures! Visit the course schedule and select "Learning Lab" from the "Course Type" drop down menu to view a complete listing of these free educational opportunities.

Advanced Rate Ends May 19

AGD 2016 is less than four months away and we’re excited about all the offerings available for attendees at this annual meeting. Between the unique speakers, hands-on courses, exhibit hall, and networking events, you won’t want to miss out on AGD 2016.

Please note, spots are filling up quickly, and some courses have already sold out. Registration costs will increase when the advanced rate ends May 19, so be sure to register early to avoid the price increase, and secure your desired hotel accommodations. See you in Boston!

AGD Foundation Seeks Auction Donations

The AGD Foundation is in need of donations for its 2016 AGD Foundation Electronic Silent Auction Fundraiser, which will be held during AGD 2016. The AGD Foundation is seeking items such as new dental equipment and instruments, electronics, vacation getaways, hotel packages, artwork, tickets to professional sporting events, and sports memorabilia.

Complete the donor form and return it to the AGD Foundation by June 15. Auction proceeds will support the AGD Foundation Grant Program, which offers financial support for free oral cancer screenings, oral cancer education, and community outreach programs that provide quality oral health care and oral cancer risk factor prevention education for underserved populations, including school-age children, and young adults.

All contributions are appreciated.

Fellowship Review Course and Exam

We applaud you for the hard work you’ve done completing your requirements for Fellowship. You’ve put in tremendous work and it will not go unnoticed. Take the next step in preparation by signing up for the Fellowship Review Course and Exam offered exclusively at AGD 2016.

A two-day Fellowship Review Course will be offered from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 13 and July 14, 2016. The Fellowship Review Course is designed to provide a refresher in 17 dental disciplines, as well as to assist members in preparing for the Fellowship Exam.

The Fellowship Review Course is a review of material, techniques, and practices in general dentistry. AGD members may sit for this course as part of their preparation for the Fellowship Exam; however, taking this course does not guarantee that a member will pass the exam. 

Candidates may refresh their knowledge of basic clinical information in the 17 areas of general dentistry covered in the exam by attending the Fellowship Review Course. 

For more information, please visit the Review Course and Exam page on the AGD 2016 website.

Good luck to all those participating!

Antibiotics in Dentistry

Antibiotic options are ever-changing. Stay up to date with current trends by attending “Antibiotics in Dentistry” during AGD 2016 in Boston. This dental course discusses the changing antibiotic options in dentistry for acute infections and prophylaxis for old and new antibiotic categories and formulations.

Clinicians will leave with a clear understanding of how to develop algorithms for prescribing antibiotics for localized infection and prophylaxis; understand AHA “guidelines” and the inconsistencies of the 2015 ADA vs. the 2012 AAOS Prosthetic Joint Recommendations; understand the new approach to Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Stents; and distinguish how the major drugs for certain conditions can affect antibiotic selection.

This course is filling up fast! Secure your spot and register today!

Detect Oral Cancer, Help your Community

Help in the fight against oral cancer. Dr. Botko’s course, “Oral Cancer: The Silent Killer in Your Practice,” is a must for all dental professionals. More than 450,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year worldwide and this number does not include the cases that go undetected. More than 40 percent of those who are diagnosed die from oral cancer within five years. Early diagnosis is essential to increase survival rates.

During this course you will learn advanced detection and examination techniques, current research to help detect oral cancer, how to educate your community, and coding for oral cancer screenings. This course is vital to all audiences and levels. Register today!

Suturing Techniques for the General Dentist

“Suturing Techniques for the General Dentist” is designed for the general dentist interested in refining their skills in general oral and implant surgery. By registering for this unique Blended Learning experience, attendees gain access to a free webinar that provides the lecture portion of this course, providing them three full hours of hands-on learning at the meeting. This Blended Learning course will provide 4.5 hours of participation credit.

In this session, participants will learn basic suturing principles, flap design and manipulation, various suturing techniques for closure, all while practicing hands-on suturing on pig jaws.

Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with a unique link to access the live webinar set for June 29 at 7 p.m. CDT. Please note, you may take this course live, or any time after June 30 on-demand via the AGD Online Learning Center. The webinar portion must be viewed prior to the AGD 2016 hands-on portion of the course.

The Blended Learning experience is great for dentists who want to maximize their time and get the most out of their CE while attending AGD 2016. Register today!

Secure Your Spot for AGD 2017

While you’re planning your schedule to attend the exciting courses and networking events at AGD 2016, schedule time to visit the exhibit floor and talk with the great vendors who are showcasing the newest and latest trends in dentistry.

If you spend $2,500 or more in the exhibit hall on items to help grow and advance your practice, you will receive free registration for AGD 2017 in Las Vegas.

Learn more about exhibit hall happenings and hours — including our dedicated hours — on the AGD 2016 website. We look forward to seeing you there!

AGD Foundation to Provide Oral Cancer Screenings

The AGD Foundation continues its commitment to raising awareness of oral cancer, risk factor prevention, and supporting general dentists as the public’s first line of defense against this deadly disease.

During AGD 2016, the AGD Foundation will host free oral cancer screenings for the general public at the Hynes Convention Center on Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Oral cancer is particularly dangerous because it can go unnoticed in its preliminary stage, so early detection is key. Because dentists often can detect the disease in its early stages, the dental community is positioned to serve as the first line of defense against oral cancer.

We are still in need of volunteers to help with oral cancer screenings. If you are a licensed dentist in MA and wanting to volunteer your time to help the AGD Foundation please complete and fax the volunteer form by June 1, 2016 to marilyn.mays@agd.org.

The AGD 2016 Scientific E-poster Session

The AGD 2016 Scientific E-poster Session provides a platform for clinical or basic research to be presented by current students, residents, or recent graduates of U.S. or Canadian dental programs.

Thirty finalists will be selected from all submitted abstracts to present their e-Posters at AGD 2016 to attendees in Boston on Friday, July 15 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., with the top three e-Posters announced at 4 p.m.

Abstracts can be submitted via the AGD e-abstract submission site until 11:59 p.m. on April 2, 2016. Finalists will be notified via email the week of April 17, 2016.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three e-Posters!
1st place:  $1,000
2nd place: $500
3rd place: $250

For more information about the AGD 2016 Scientific E-poster Session, contact the AGD Education Department at courses@agd.org or 888.AGD.DENT.

Live Patient Surgical Demonstrations

Engel Institute founder Todd B. Engel, DDS, will present two surgical demonstrations performed on live patients at AGD 2016. Dr. Engel’s Thursday course, “Predictable Socket Grafting for the General Dentist,” will discuss socket grafting for ridge preservation for the general practitioner and conclude with a live socket graft surgery. On Friday, Dr. Engel will open his course, “Implant Cases Tailor-Made for the General Dentist,” with a discussion of implant surgery for the general practitioner and conclude with a live implant placement surgery.

Dr. Engel will be demonstrating on live patients to ensure attendees receive in-depth knowledge on socket grafting and implant placement. This course is unique to AGD 2016 and a must see for all general dentists. These courses will sell out quickly, so register today.

Vatech America, Inc. is the Presenting Sponsor of this course.

Sponsored in part by Kettenbach LP