WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE OHIO ACADEMY OF GENERAL DENTISTRY

Fall 2008 HOMEPAGE                   

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Ohio Academy of General Dentistry is to serve the needs and to represent
the interests of Ohio affiliated general dentists and to foster their continued proficiency
through quality continuing dental education in order to better serve the public.

VISION STATEMENT

The vision of The Ohio Academy of General Dentistry is to improve the quality of
comprehensive dental care. We are motivated and united by the core human
values of integrity and compassion.

President's Message

I have recently attended national, state, and local dental meetings of varying topics, but I noticed similar discussions surrounding patient populations and their decreasing presence in many dental offices. The current economy challenges the average worker and his or her family, and necessary dentistry is often considered an elective by the patient when pain is absent. As a result, it is not a high priority for their disposable dollars. This climate can produce anxiety for many dental practices. Keeping the spirits of the dental team at a high level is also challenging for the dentist. We have all experienced this at one time or another in our careers.

Recently, I prioritized what I wanted to do with my dental team and community to occupy the available chair time. I elected to increase the number of patients that we could accept through Ohio’s Dental Options Program, and I have focused on continuing education in the office to improve the communication and technical skills of my team. My entire team became involved in the various fundraisers to support our local safety net dental clinic. I am making plans for 2008 to donate dental services to "give someone back a smile" who has been a victim of domestic violence.

I continue to be amazed and proud in observing the excitement and focus of my family and dental team for each project we undertake. It lifts the spirits of everyone involved, and I encourage everyone to do something special to lift up their community. It is better than the anti-anxiety medications and healthier for you, too.

I wish for you a blessed and healthy future.

Sincerely,

Kathy Brisley-Sedon DDS, MAGD

Calling All Volunteers!

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is proud to announce its first Call for Volunteers!

Get Involved!

In an effort to involve more members and identify potential volunteers at all levels of the organization, the Academy is initiating a Call for Volunteers.

As an AGD volunteer, you'll receive:

• recognition.
• opportunity.
• ideas.
• leadership experience.

We Need You! The AGD needs volunteers for:

• council/committee assignment.
• task force assignment.
• author assignment.
• reviewer assignment.
• constituent speaker assignment.
• constituent volunteer assignment.
• public liaison assignment.

We also need volunteers to act as liaisons to other dental organizations, and more! Sign Up Now!

Click Here to learn more and complete our volunteer form. Become a volunteer today!  
Thank you for your efforts in support of the AGD.

Sincerely,  
Bruce DeGinder, DDS, MAGD
2005-2006 AGD National President-Elect

Award News
The recipients of the AGD’s 2008 Senior Student Dental Award in Ohio are as follows:

Erin L. Ambrose, DDS
Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine

Donald Austin Rehl, DDS
Ohio State University College of Dentistry

This award was established to recognize senior dental students from each dental school in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico who exhibit potential for becoming outstanding general dentists.  Each award recipient has been selected using the following guidelines, which were established by the AGD’s Board of Trustees:

1.      The School of Dentistry, through the Dean, faculty member or faculty committee, should make the final selection.
2.      The senior student shall have indicated a desire to practice general dentistry.
3.      The senior student shall have maintained an academic scholastic balance between his/her clinical and didactic basis courses of study.
4.      The senior student shall be among the top 1/3 of the graduating class in overall scholastic standing.
5.      The senior student shall have demonstrated outstanding attributes conducive to exceptional doctor-patient relationships (i.e., a pleasant, outgoing personality).

The award recipients will receive a complimentary one-year membership in the AGD and a certificate that is presented at the school’s award ceremony.

Please contact Stephanie Blankenship at StephanieBlankenship@agd.org, or call 888.AGD.DENT (888.243.3368), ext. 4968 if you would like further contact information for the schools or recipients listed.  We look forward to improving communication between dental schools and constituent leaders for the Senior Student Dental Award program in 2008. 

Other News and Notes

Ohio Academy of General Dentistry Luncheon!
At the ODA Annual Session September 19, 2008 12-1:30pm
Columbus Convention Center
Special Guest is speaker Dr. Louis Malmacher
Register using ODA annual meeting form Event Code E81
Register on-line at www.oda.org 

Federal Updates

At the federal level, Congressman Charlie Norwood** (who is a dentist) sent out a dear colleague letter to all of his fellow Congressmen in the House of Representatives.  Included with the dear colleague letter, which urged Congressmen to sign onto the Oral Health Caucus, was an AGD fact sheet explaining what the Oral Health Caucus was.  So upon receiving this letter from Norwood, each Representative will also be looking at AGD's fact sheet, which clearly has the AGD logo at its heading.  This is an excellent promotion for AGD as an organization and will assist in improving our recognition on the Hill.

 ** It should be noted that Dr. Norwood passed away at his home in Georgia on February 13, 2007.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

                     
FALL 2008

Fall 2008 @ OSU
Topic: Oral Medicine: Biopsy Techniques.
Speakers: to be determined  
October 03, 04, 2008
Course will include biopsy techniques, Valscope & Visilight usage.  Students will learn to use Valscope and Visilight with hands on learning experience.  Other details will follow. 

Dear AGD members,

I wanted to give you a quick update on our Mastertrack program in Ohio. In an attempt to increase attendance at our two course I have started working with the Ohio State University College of Dentistry continuing education department. You may have noticed that the brochure for our recent pediatric dentistry course came to you from OSU and was not sent directly from my office. All registration and payments for the course will be handled by them but I am still the contact person representing the Ohio AGD. 

I have decided to pursue this joint venture with them in hopes that we can get more participation at our courses. They will promote our courses through the dental alumni venue and will also mail to our AGD members. The pediatric dentistry course was full of wonderful information and I was surprised that we did not have any AGD members attend even though it was scheduled in Columbus. 

Please remember that the fall course is always the third Saturday in Columbus and that our spring course is the weekend after memorial day at The Lodge at Sawmill Creek up by Lake Erie. The next course will be on period and is scheduled for the second weekend in June. The Sunday course that is provided at our spring course is always free to our AGD members. The topic for this day is not yet decided. I'll look forward to seeing more of you at these courses.

Sincerely yours, 

Hans Guter DDS-CE Chairman  

Click here for more info and other details regarding
the Mastership Course Series

Some courses are held at the Columbus Institute of Cosmetic Dentistry. This new facility offers a lecture room complete with a full clinical operatory, lab demo corner, and the A/V tools for over the shoulder presentations. Click the above CICD bldg. for a MAP http://www.tcicd.com

Next AGD Annual Meeting

Baltimore, Maryland  July, 2009


Future AGD National Annual Meetings:
2010                  

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