Up and Away: How AGD Elevates Your Dental Career

Dentists join AGD for many reasons, but two of the most common are top-notch continuing education (CE) and CE tracking. Once they join, many dentists realize that the organization is so much more than CE. It offers practice management resources. Members can take advantage of discounts on vital products and services. AGD provides a pathway to become a top-tier dentist through Fellowship. And, maybe most importantly, it connects members with others like them, fellow dentists who have a thirst for knowledge and a continuous drive for self-improvement. In celebration of all that the organization has to offer, AGD Impact reached out to four members and asked them to tell their AGD stories. AGD has shaped their careers in different ways, but, like so many dentists across the country, they all agree that they would not be where they are today without AGD — and that they love their AGD family.

How AGD Helped Shape My Career: From Struggling New Graduate to Successful Practice Owner

By Puneet S. Aulakh, DDS, MAGD

For me, AGD has been more than an organization — it has been the foundation of my professional growth and success. Early in my career, I was a new graduate struggling to find my footing. Opening a practice from scratch in 2007, with no local connections and minimal business experience, was a daunting challenge. I found myself overwhelmed and unsure how to navigate the complexities of running a dental office.

The support I received from Washington AGD was instrumental in those formative years. Through its events and educational programs, I found mentorship, camaraderie and invaluable advice that helped me navigate the challenges of starting and sustaining a practice. Programs like MasterTrack and OrthoTrack provided not only exceptional education but also the opportunity to form lasting relationships with dentists in my community who genuinely wanted to see me succeed.

At the national level, AGD reinforced the importance of lifelong learning and professional excellence. The organization connected me with industry leaders and peers from across the country, inspiring me to continually raise the bar in clinical skills, business acumen and patient care. Together, local and national AGD helped me through some of the toughest moments in my career, including the financial crisis of 2008. Without AGD’s resources and community, I doubt I would have achieved the level of success I enjoy today.

How My Membership Progressed

Initially my focus was on clinical improvement and continuing education (CE). I was eager to gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge, and the CE courses offered by Washington AGD were invaluable resources. These local events provided not only top-tier education but also a chance to network with other dentists in my area.

As my career progressed, I began to see AGD as more than just an educational resource. My involvement deepened when I participated in MasterTrack, Washington AGD’s program that lays out a path to Mastership, and it grew further as I started contributing to the organization’s mission. Through Washington AGD, I found opportunities to give back at the local level — mentoring younger dentists, serving on committees and advocating for the profession in my state.

At the national level, AGD expanded my perspective on dentistry. It became a platform for me to connect with colleagues across the country, share ideas and influence policies that impact our profession. Now, AGD is an integral part of my professional life, offering opportunities to learn, lead and make a difference both locally and nationally.

Surprising Benefits

While many dentists join AGD for its excellent CE programs, I’ve discovered benefits that extend far beyond education. One of the most valuable is the network of peers and mentors I’ve built through Washington AGD. This local network has been a lifeline on numerous occasions, providing timely advice and support when I’ve faced clinical or business challenges.

For instance, a patient came to me with an unusual implant placed overseas. I reached out to colleagues in my AGD network, and, within hours, I had detailed responses and actionable advice. This kind of support highlights the unique value of being part of a professional community where trust and collaboration are paramount.

Another benefit I’ve come to appreciate is AGD’s advocacy work. Both the national organization and Washington AGD work tirelessly to protect and advance the interests of general dentists. Staying informed about legislative changes and having a voice in shaping policies has been critical.

Personal Recommendations

For any dentist, I cannot recommend the MasterTrack program highly enough. Offered through local constituents like Washington AGD, this program is an investment in your career that pays dividends for years. The combination of lectures, hands-on training and peer collaboration helps you tackle even the most complex cases with confidence.

For younger dentists, getting involved in your local AGD chapter is one of the best ways to build a network and find mentors. Washington AGD, for example, organizes regular meetings and CE events that foster community and professional growth.

Additionally, AGD’s practice management resources are a hidden gem. Whether you’re looking for advice on staffing, billing or marketing, AGD offers tools that can help you run your practice more effectively.

When AGD Has Really Helped Me Out

In the early years of my practice, the mentorship and support I received through Washington AGD were crucial to overcoming challenges that could have easily derailed my career. Opening a practice in 2007 was risky enough, but, when the financial crisis hit in 2008, I was truly tested.

Patient schedules were sparse, and I was struggling to keep the lights on. The guidance and encouragement I received from local AGD mentors kept me going. They shared practical tips on patient retention, managing overhead and maintaining a positive outlook. Their support gave me the resilience to push through those tough years.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a new graduate seeking guidance, a mid-career dentist looking to expand your skills or a seasoned professional wanting to give back, AGD has something to offer. The connections I’ve made and the lessons I’ve learned through AGD have shaped not only my practice but also my perspective on the profession. For anyone considering joining or getting more involved, I can say without hesitation: It’s worth it.

Puneet Aulakh, DDS, MAGD, is the owner of Bannerwood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Bellevue, Washington.

How AGD Paved the Way for My Career and Mentorship Journey

By Carson Henley, DDS, FAGD

Growing up in Texas, I figured I would be a Texan my entire life. I went to college and dental school in Texas. It just made sense that I would buy a practice near where I grew up. But this path was not meant to be. I ended up in West Virginia, and I can truly say that AGD is the reason I have the position I have. And for that, I love AGD. I heard about AGD in dental school. However, I did not participate in Fellowship activities that were offered. There was no reason; I simply did not know much about AGD at the time. But the organization was about to impact my life in a big way. On March 16, 2016, my wife and I opened her residency match envelope and found out we were moving to Charleston, West Virginia. My wife was to begin a five-year combined medicine/psychiatry program in a state we had never visited, much less lived. We were both excited and scared, but I was most worried about where I was going to get a position. As we had never lived in West Virginia, I had no leads on dental positions. That’s where AGD comes into frame.

A few weeks after the envelope-opening day, I was talking with one of my University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston professors, Ralph A. Cooley, DDS, FAGD. I mentioned my family was moving to West Virginia after I graduated and I was unsure where I would get a position. Cooley mentioned he knew some people from West Virginia. Specifically, he knew Steven A. Ghareeb, DDS, FAGD. They served on an AGD council together years prior. That night, Cooley sent an email to Ghareeb, and the following day Ghareeb and I spoke on the phone. Within five minutes of speaking with him, he offered me a position. This started a working relationship that turned into a dental practice partnership that continues to this day. Without AGD, I would not have my current position.

Ghareeb was a fantastic boss for the many years I served as his associate. He mentored me and sent me on continuing education trips. The courses he sent me to laid a foundation of knowledge that allowed me to run my current practice, a Ghareeb Dental Group location. The best advice I can offer to young dentists is to look for mentorship. The easiest way to find a mentor is to look within AGD for a Fellow, Master and/or Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition recipient in your area.

The only reason I was able to join an AGD council, be the Region 6 regional director and now be the Region 6 trustee was because of the people I met along the way. Simply put, AGD is an organization that is set up to grow young dentists into advanced dentists who mentor future generations of young dentists.

Carson Henley, DDS, FAGD, practices in the Kanawha City location of the Ghareeb Dental Group.

Why I’m Most Proud to Be an AGD Member

By Emily Bujnoski, DMD, MPH

When I graduated from dental school in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was excited to start my career. Yet, as the weeks and months progressed, I began to feel a sense of loneliness. Maybe it was the abrupt way my dental school education was cut short by an unprecedented global public health event — or maybe, I thought, it was because of the nature of general practice dentistry. I realized rather quickly that day-to-day dentistry can be pretty isolating. Enter AGD — I was at the right place at the right time when a former dental school instructor approached me about getting involved with AGD. As an eager new grad, I thought it couldn’t hurt to get involved with organized dentistry. I couldn’t imagine, at the time, that joining AGD would turn out to be one of the most formative decisions of my early dental career. Five years later, I can confidently say that AGD has positively impacted my career through extensive continuing education (CE), challenging yet rewarding leadership opportunities and a great variety of benefits, both official and unofficial.

The first and most profound way that AGD has improved my career is through extensive offerings of CE. Most importantly, as someone with the hefty weight of student loan debt, AGD offers quality affordable CE. Despite many other CE offerings available to dentists, AGD remains the premier provider of CE that won’t break the bank. This was imperative for me as I tried to chip away at my student loan payments. I’ve grown to appreciate that AGD is so conscious of cost efficiency for new dentists. AGD understands the economic burden of dental school today and has tried to make it affordable for new dentists to become involved. It does this not only with affordable CE, but also through membership discounts for dentists less than five years out of dental school. This allowed me to really dive headfirst into AGD CE as a new dentist member, broadening my scope of practice and introducing me to other like-minded AGD dentists.

As I began to attend more AGD CE, my involvement as an AGD new dentist member began to change. I noticed that AGD dentists were driven, attentive and dedicated to being better practitioners. I wanted to be more like them — I wanted to be more involved! In the years that followed, my membership in AGD evolved from a “new dentist member” to a member of various constituent, regional and national committees within AGD. In this way, I was able to use the organization as a vehicle to serve my profession while also developing my leadership skills. Through attending the scientific session and Leadership Development Symposium, I was able to immerse myself in the world of AGD. These meetings are some of my favorite benefits and are offerings that I highly recommend to young dentists looking to find their place in a seemingly daunting world of organized dentistry. You will learn more about AGD, yes, but you will also learn so much about yourself.

Perhaps the greatest benefits of AGD are “unofficial.” These benefits aren’t listed on AGD’s website, but they are what drives my membership the most — the benefits of friendship! The camaraderie available is truly unique. I have made friends and gained valuable mentors around the country. These are people I can turn to for advice on everything, from root canals to business ownership — people who get it. I recognize these relationships are rare and to be cherished, and I am so grateful to AGD for supplementing my life and career with such fantastic people. This hidden benefit is what makes me most proud to be an AGD member.

Emily Bujnoski, DMD, MPH, is a general dentist at Fox Family Dental, Peoria, Arizona.

AGD Has Shaped My Career and Fueled My Growth As a Dentist

By Mackenzie Schneider, DMD

Since my time in dental school, AGD has played a pivotal role in my dental career. Initially, AGD provided an essential foundation for me as a student, offering networking opportunities with other student leaders passionate about general dentistry. It introduced me to the importance of continuing education (CE) — not just as a learner, but as someone who could organize educational experiences for others. AGD helped me understand the kind of dentist I wanted to be, and its impact has been profound throughout my journey.

As I reflect on my career, a few key lessons stand out. One of the most important is my fear of complacency. Dentistry is ever evolving, and there are countless ways to approach procedures. Without a commitment to constantly ask questions, seek new answers and challenge the status quo, we limit our ability to excel. Dental school provides the foundation necessary to practice, but it is only through CE that we truly begin to learn and refine our skills. This mindset allows us to provide the highest level of care to our patients.

I also recognize the responsibility we hold as leaders. Both patients and staff look to the dentist for guidance, and it’s essential to lead by example through hard work, dedication and a commitment to education. The principles of mentorship and leadership have been central to my development as a dentist, and AGD has been an incredible resource in this regard. Whether through mentorship opportunities or accessible CE courses, AGD has supported me throughout my early years in practice.

After entering the workforce in 2020, I found myself missing the structured learning environment of dental school. While I was taking CE courses, I yearned for a deeper review of some of the more fundamental aspects of dentistry — topics that we use every day in our practices. This led me to pursue AGD Fellowship, which I completed this year. The process of studying for and passing the Fellowship Exam has undoubtedly made me a better dentist. The topics covered in the Fellowship requirements are not only foundational, but also practical, and I was able to immediately implement many of them in my practice. I strongly encourage all dentists to pursue AGD Fellowship, as it has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career.

Achieving the 500 hours of CE required for Fellowship can be a challenge, but AGD offers incredible resources that make this goal more attainable. I’ve found the free online courses, in particular, to be underutilized benefits that provide high-quality education at no additional cost. As a Premium Plus member, I’ve also benefited from the additional webinars, which offer flexibility and accessibility when in-person events are not feasible. While I prefer in-person CE when possible, I’ve come to appreciate the value of webinars as a convenient alternative for those seeking top-notch education on their own schedule.

One of my first major AGD events was the 2018 scientific session in New Orleans, where I was just starting at the student chapter level. Since then, the New Dentist/Student Lounge has become a central hub for me at every AGD scientific session. It’s been a place to connect with old friends, meet new colleagues and attend enriching CE courses. As I’ve gained more experience in my career, I’ve started transitioning from being a new dentist to becoming a mentor for others who are beginning their professional journeys.

Starting my career as a sole provider in a dental practice brought its own set of challenges, particularly in areas unrelated to clinical dentistry. Navigating insurance and coding, for example, can often feel like learning a new language. AGD’s practice management resources can be invaluable in helping tackle these obstacles. Even simple tools, like discounts on insurance coding books, have made a difference in streamlining the gray areas of insurance.

In conclusion, I am incredibly grateful for the support and opportunities AGD has provided me throughout my career — both as a student dentist and as I’ve transitioned to full-time practice. AGD has been instrumental in helping me grow as a clinician, a mentor and a leader in the dental field, and I look forward to continuing this journey with the AGD community.

Mackenzie Schneider, DMD, owns Schneider Family Dentistry, S.C., Burlington, Wisconsin.