AGD News Awards
Advocacy
Nominate a Colleague for the 2027 Thaddus V. Weclew Award
AGD Attends 2025 ALEC and NCSL Meetings
AGD is now taking nominations for the 2025 Dr. Thaddeus V. Weclew Award. This prestigious award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the art and science of dentistry or has enhanced the principles and goals of AGD and has made exceptional efforts in promoting these ideals. Named for founder Thaddeus V. Weclew, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards given by AGD. Recent recipients include Jane F. Martone, DDS, MAGD (2025); Charles Goodacre, DDS, MSD (2024); and Kimberly R. Wright, DMD, MAGD (2023). To nominate a deserving colleague or educator, request a nomination form from education@agd.org. The nomination deadline is Dec. 1, 2025, to be considered for the 2027 award.
Be a Part of Convocation at AGD2026 Apply to receive your Fellowship, Mastership, or Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition at AGD2026 in Las Vegas! Complete all requirements and apply online by Dec. 31, 2025. Show your dedication to enhancing your clinical knowledge, and apply at agd.org/education/awards-recognition. If you need help achieving the required continuing education (CE), search the AGD CE Directory (agd.org/education/learn/ce-directory) or browse the Online Learning Center (agdonlinelearningcenter.org).
By Jay Fisher, JD, AGD manager, Government Relations
State policy directly affects the practice of general dentistry. AGD recognizes the importance of state legislative advocacy and exhibited this summer at the annual meetings of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). At ALEC, Gordon Isbell III, DMD, MAGD, and AGD staff spoke with legislators about the importance of community water AGD Manager Jay Fisher, JD, with Kansas State Rep. Dr. Allen Reavis and Dr. Gordon fluoridation (CWF) Isbell III at the ALEC meeting. and dental insurance reform. ALEC brings together conservative legislators from across the country. At NCSL, Richard Huot, DDS, FAGD, chair of the AGD Legislative & Governmental Affairs Council, and AGD staff spoke to a bipartisan group of legislators about CWF and dental insurance reform. This year at NCSL, our “dental row” only included AGD and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, but legislators appreciated being able to speak with both organizations about policy and the importance of oral health. AGD will continue to raise the profile of the organization and dentistry as a whole by attending these meetings and speaking with legislators and other major stakeholders. AGD’s state-level advocacy will increase this year, as the Board has approved AGD’s sponsorship of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), an extremely influential organization whose model bills carry great weight in the state capitals. NCOIL is currently considering amending its model dental insurance contracting bill to switch the virtual credit card and third-party network leasing provisions from “opt-out” to “opt-in.” Education
This Month’s CE Opportunities
Nov. 4: “Occlusal Medicine: Why Haven’t You Been Taught this Stuff?” with Ian W. Tester, DDS, MSc Nov. 6: “Chronic Pain Management: What Do I Need to Know?” with Aviv Ouanounou, BSc, MSc, DDS, FACD, FICO, FICD Nov. 11: “HIPAA Compliance Simplified” with Matt DiBlasi Nov. 13: “Alter the Tooth Life Cycle” with Troy Schmedding, DDS, AAACD Nov. 21–22: 2025 Virtual Advocacy Conference Register for these webinars and more at agd.org/education/learn.
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AGD IMPACT
NOVEMBER 2025