the family dentist

Official Publication of the Ohio Academy of General Dentistry              
Web Edition

WHY A.G.D???

Member since 1976...This statement appears upon my AGD membership card. A similar statement is on every AGD membership card. The only difference is the year included in the statement. When I renew my membership for the calendar year 2005, I will be in my 29th year of membership in the Academy of General Dentistry. Why does anyone remain a member of any organization for 1 year or 5 years, or 10 years and why on earth for 29 years? There are over 33,000 answers to that question. Each member of the academy will have his or her own unique answer. For some it is the friendships that we have formed with others. For others it is the recognition of long hours of work and study to improve professional skills that the Fellowship and Mastership awards provide. Many feel the sense of security that being part of a large group with similar interests can provide. While some feel their membership allows them to give back to their profession, which has enriched their life by serving as leaders or mentors to others. Most often our reason for membership is a combination of the things I have listed along with many others blended in a mixture that is ours alone. 

When you receive your renewal for next year take a moment, to reflect upon your particular reasons for joining the Academy of General Dentistry and the reasons you have remained a member for 5 or 10 or in my case 29 years. Relate these thoughts to a friend and colleague who is not a member and encourage them to join so that they might benefit from membership.

Ken Garrett, DDS, MAGD

September / 2011

Greetings! These last few months have been exciting to become involved in the leadership and direction of our Academy as a Trustee. I appreciate the confidence and support your delegates placed in me at our last caucus vote to install me as the new trustee for our Region VII. San Diego was a great meeting and excellent opportunity to get to know many of your Ohio AGD leadership and you truly have a wealth of experience and knowledge to rely upon.

In that vein of discussion, I do want to make a charge to Ohio and Indiana members alike. Region VII is grossly underrepresented on the national level of leadership with the AGD!! Especially in light of the quality of members represented at our recent meetings and the new Fellows and Masters, I’m encouraging Indiana and Ohio to step forward and fill out the Call for Volunteers portion on the AGD web site. There are many committee and council positions that need to be filled on a yearly basis. I was surprised to see that Hans and I are the only Region VII members serving nationally! These councils are filled with likeminded practitioners, who are a pleasure to work with, learn with, and the reward in giving back to our profession is palpable. I have previously served on the Fellowship Exam committees, and the Dental Education council and enjoyed every weekend. It’s not burdensome, yet very satisfying! Go to www.agd.org, under the ‘governance’ tab scroll down to ‘Volunteer for Leadership’ to learn more and more importantly APPLY!

Your Academy has become very active nationally in the advocacy arena for non specialized, non limited dentists as ourselves. Many states as Ohio are opposing the legislation in the state house proposing the mid level provider in dental care. We are fighting big money backers from Kellogg and other foundations, but success has been realized through personal relationships with state legislatures and decision makers. This is a battle that isn’t going to be won through big money campaigns( we don’t have it for one),but by the utilization of any and all relationships and acquaintances to your state law makers. Get in contact with your state representatives by mail or phone calls and make our position and concerns known. It’ll be too late to restore our profession’s esteem and regard after it’s been adulterated by minimally trained ‘providers’ turned loose on the public. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners diagnosing maladies and writing prescriptions in the medical arena are one thing but you wouldn’t want one operating on you or your family. We must speak out now on this issue to the state decision makers!

In the good news portion of this letter, I’m pleased to report that your academy has voted to fund and support a national oral health awareness campaign. This campaign is to be under the direction of the National AD Council who have had significant success with other nonprofit organizations. Remember, "Got Milk?" That was the National AD council. This would be a joint sponsorship with AAPD(Pedodontists), AAP(Periodontists), and likely the ADA. This is a campaign that the AGD has to take a ‘seat at the table and be dealt a hand in the game’ to add value to our organization and draw patients into our practices.

Your national academy is served by many fine and honorable leaders. I’m pleased to be able to work along side them. Thanks for this opportunity and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. More on this opportunity later!

Ted Reese, DDS, MAGD, LLSR

Indianapolis, Indiana
Regional 7 Trustee

www.agd.org (you must be a member to access the journal page at the AGD website)

Academy of General Dentistry
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FAX: 312.440.0559

the family dentist is published
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