UIC COD DMD Advanced Standing Class of 2017 Orientation Breakfast

UIC COD DMD Advanced Standing Class of 2019

Illinois AGD had the pleasure of welcoming the UIC COD DMD Advanced Standing Class of 2017 at a breakfast on January 5, 2017. Drs. Cheryl Mora and Larry Williams, both ILAGD Past Presidents introduced the students to AGD with a presentation entitled, “What can AGD do for me?” Dr. Mora & Dr. Williams discussed the importance of being involved in organized dentistry by answering the following questions.

Do you wonder if you will learn everything in dental school that you will need to know to practice dentistry? The AGD recognizes that learning doesn’t stop once a student is finished with dental school, and since continuing education is such an important part of our members’ careers, we want our student members to learn the value of lifelong learning early on. Experienced dentists know that our profession is ever changing and that keeping current is vitally important in our dental practices. That is why AGD offers students the opportunity to earn up to 50 hours of CE lecture credit while they are still in school, and apply the credit toward the prestigious AGD Fellowship (FAGD) Award after graduation. Students can also attend the AGD Annual Meeting & Exhibits for free and many of the local Illinois CE courses are offered at a discounted rate or for free. Members can also take advantage of Self-Instruction exercises in our peer reviewed journal-General Dentistry and also the six free Webinars AGD offers to all of its members on agd.org! Lunch & Learn programs and after school CE events are offered to the students at the dental schools in Illinois as well. Visit ILAGD.org for a list of courses and events in Illinois and AGD.org for online programs and for information on the Annual & Exhibits meeting that will be in Las Vegas July 13-15, 2017.

Do you want to know how to find an associate position or how to build or buy a practice after graduation? The AGD offers Career Assistance to students, new graduates and dentists. Members can browse the AGD Career Center to check out available jobs, to seek advice from fellow AGD members on what career path may be right for them and to find out more about AEGD and GPR programs. Plus, the AGD Student Transition manual available online outlines everything a new dentist needs to know about transitioning from a dental student to a dental professional, including how to set up and manage a dental practice. Often the best career assistance comes from your colleagues and the networking opportunities at AGD will assist your throughout your career. AGD will be launching their new Mentor program this spring.

Do you want to be “in the know” about legislation and state board actions affecting dentistry? As the general dentist’s advocate, AGD monitors important issues that affect the practice of general dentistry at both the local and national level, and sends out action alerts to keep members informed. AGD is the voice of the general dentist, advocating on behalf of its members at our annual Government Relations conference in Washington, D.C. and in Springfield at our state capital. The AGD also acts on the general dentist’s behalf within organized dentistry, protecting their interests and collaborating to strengthen their voice with other dental organizations.

Do you want to know how to distinguish yourself among your peers? The AGD recognizes those dentists who are committed to improving the quality of dental care they provide to their patients through continuing education. Become a Fellow in the AGD by earning 500 hours of CE, taking a comprehensive examination and being a member of AGD for three continuous years. General dentist members may then earn the designation of “Master” of the AGD by completing a structured and demanding set of requirements that include an additional 600 hours of continuing education, 400 hours of which must be participatory in nature. The AGD also offers many opportunities for Leadership Development at both the local and national levels. The skills learned as a leader in organized dentistry will help you excel in your professional relationships with your patients, staff and colleagues.

These are just some of the reasons why our members value AGD and what the organization does for their careers and their patients. Go to ILAGD.org and AGD.org and also to Facebook to find out more ways AGD will make you a more successful dental student and help you in your journey towards graduation and starting your dental career.
Cheryl Mora, DDS, FAGD
Immediate Past President, IL AGD
Chair, AGD Membership Council