Sports and Energy Drinks Cause Irreversible Damage to Teeth
Posted: May 15, 2012 11:04 AM
Last week, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) issued a press release about a study published in the May/June issue of General Dentistry, showing that the alarming increase in the consumption of sports and energy drinks, especially among adolescents, is causing irreversible damage to teeth. Specifically, the study focused on the high acidity levels in the drinks, which cause significant erosion to tooth enamel. As a result, the AGD has secured an expansive amount of national media attention, with resulting articles appearing on: CBS National News, Health.com, The Huffington Post, and ABC National News.
AGD Web Banners
Posted: November 15, 2011 2:32 PM
Good News! The AGD has created custom constituent Web Banner ads for you, our valued members. These banners can be used to help spruce up your website and enhance the visibility of the AGD. Simply select the version right for you, rectangular or square.
Please contact Felicia Conte, NJAGD Executive Staff at contenjagd@yahoo.com for your free AGD Web Banner.
Cost of Regulations on Small Businesses
Posted: November 08, 2011 3:30 PM
The annual cost of federal regulations on small businesses, including dental offices, is staggering. According to a 2010 report by the Small Business Association, “The Impact of Regulatory Costs on Small Firms,” the cost of federal regulations in the United States increased to more than $1.75 trillion in 2008. Small businesses, defined as firms employing fewer than 20 employees, bear the largest burden of federal regulations. As of 2008, small businesses face an annual regulatory cost of $10,585 per employee, which is 36 percent higher than the regulatory cost facing large firms (defined as firms with 500 or more employees).
While regulations are needed to protect the public and provide structure to state and federal laws, it often appears to be done at the expense of small businesses. This report does not consider the benefits of federal regulations, but looks at the overall costs imposed by them. Additionally, unlike most fiscal actions taken by government, the costs of regulatory actions are relatively hidden. A comprehensive list of regulatory influences that affect one’s daily existence is indeed extensive and overwhelming to track. Yet, knowledge of the cumulative consequences of regulatory actions and how these are changing, provides important information to assess and evaluate the performance of a political-economic social system.
The Small Business Association report seeks to fill some of these gaps in our knowledge by providing estimates of the costs of federal government regulations in the United States. An awareness of regulatory costs reveals much about the balance in public versus private sector responsibilities for and control over resources.
AGD Benefits Plus!
Posted: October 24, 2011 1:18 PM
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) offers its members exclusive discounts and special offers on various personal and professional products and services.
In collaboration with the AGD efforts, Ellie the Elephant wants to help AGD members pay peanuts for the products and services they need most. When Ellie is in the room, members know that they’re bound to find discounts and special offers with the AGD Benefits Plus Program.
For more information about the AGD Benefits Plus program, contact the Administrator, Benefits Plus Program, at benefitsplus@agd.org, or 888.243.3368 x4355.
Dr. Manuel Cordero of Sewell, NJ elected AGD Secretary!
Posted: August 15, 2011 11:39 AM
CHICAGO (August 2011)—The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education to better serve the public, is pleased to announce that Manuel A. Cordero, DDS, MAGD, of Sewell, N.J., was elected as secretary of the association during the AGD 2011 Annual Meeting & Exhibits, held July 28 to 31, in San Diego, Calif.
“I am honored to serve as national secretary for the AGD,” says Dr. Cordero. “In this role, I can communicate and represent the interests of the general dentist to enhance the profession while continuing to provide the best oral health care to our patients.”
Dr. Cordero currently serves as a member of the Budget and Finance Committee, as well as a Strategic and Tactical Assessment and Response (STAR) facilitator for the AGD. He has been a member of both the AGD and the American Dental Association (ADA) since 1987.
Dr. Cordero graduated with a BA from Haverford College and concurrently received a certificate in secondary education from Bryn Mawr College in 1976. He graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1983.
Since joining the AGD, Dr. Cordero has been dedicated to its growth. He has represented the New Jersey AGD (NJAGD) as a delegate since 1991, and has held nearly every position within its Board, including the presidency in 2000. He served as regional director and then as trustee of the NJAGD from 2004 until 2010, working on several tasks forces and the first Staff Compensation Committee.
Dr. Cordero has been a spokesperson for the AGD since 1995. He was a catalyst in the AGD’s production of the first multi-language media news releases, as well as the translation of “Dental Notes,” generating media awards for the AGD during the 1990s.
Dr. Cordero’s commitment to general dentistry and his interpersonal abilities have led him to bridge to other organizations, communicating the ideals and beliefs of the AGD. In seeing oral health’s ties with systemic health, Dr. Cordero became involved in the Hispanic Medical Association in 2001 and became an honoree last year. He is also a lecturer and representative of the AGD to the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA)—where he currently serves as trustee and legislative committee member.
Dr. Cordero has been married for 34 years to his wife, Harriet. They have four children. His eldest, Maria, is a dentist completing a pediatric residency at Ohio State University. His daughter Laura graduated from Georgetown University and is currently pursuing a master’s in public policy. Dr. Cordero’s daughter Rebecca just completed her dual degree in illustration and English, and his son David is studying neuroscience and preparing for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).
About the Academy of General Dentistry
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education to better serve the public. Founded in 1952, the AGD has grown to become the second largest dental association in the United States, and it is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists. More than 772,000 persons in the United States are employed directly in the field of dentistry. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management, and overall coordination of services related to patients’ oral health needs. For more information about the AGD, please visit www.agd.org.
We are so close to eliminating the McCarran Ferguson Act!
Posted: December 13, 2010 2:47 PM
Send an e-mail today to get H.R. 4626 passed
There are only a few days left in the lame duck session for the United States Senate to vote for final passage of HR 4626—legislation that would eliminate the McCarran-Ferguson antitrust exemption that was granted to the insurance industry 65 years ago. HR 4626 overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan margin of 406-19, and the Senate Judiciary Committee is still looking for options to move the bill, but time is running out. Now is the time to put pressure on the Senate and urge your senators to pass HR 4626!
Sending a message to your senators is as easy as clicking a button!
Red Flags Rule-Update
Posted: December 07, 2010 2:54 PM
On Nov. 9, 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final regulation implementing the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act of 2003, which requires financial institutions and creditors to develop and implement written identity theft programs (Red Flags programs). Neither the FACT Act nor the final rule issued by the FTC specifically mentions health care professionals as creditors. Nonetheless, the FTC determined that health care professionals should be covered under this law and must implement a Red Flags program by Jan. 1, 2011.
This past Tuesday, Nov. 30, the U.S. Senate moved quickly and in bipartisan action to exempt certain businesses, including dental practices, from the FTC’s Red Flags Rule. This bill, S. 3987 (the Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010), is now pending in the House and may be considered on Monday, Dec. 6. However, AGD has been advised that the House may not act on the bill. We need you to act now to urge your member of Congress to ask that the House leadership to schedule a vote and to vote YES on S. 3897.
The New Jersey AGD is bestowed with the AGD's ACE Award!
Posted: July 30, 2010 11:59 AM
Did you know that the NJAGD is the 2010 recipient of the William W. Howard ACE Award! The ACE Award recognizes excellence in newsletter publishing. The award acknowledges the best newsletters in six size categories, as well as the "most improved newsletter" and "best constituent Website". Congratulations NJAGD!
Aetna's Clinical Policy Bulletin: Oral Brush Biopsy
Posted: June 09, 2010 9:47 AM
Aetna considers oral brush biopsy experimental and investigational for screening or diagnosis of cancerous or pre-cancerous oral lesions.
To Learn more go to:
http://jada.ada.org/cgi/reprint/141/5/509
or
http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/600_699/0686.html
AGD Talking Points on Bisphenol-A
Posted: June 04, 2010 2:21 PM
CNN is airing a two-night investigative report (last night and tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern) with Dr. Sanjay Gupta entitled, "Toxic America," focusing on five chemicals, including Bisphenol-A (BPA). It is our understanding that sealants are mentioned as a source. The ADA has released the attached statement on the issue. The AGD does not have a formal opinion or policy at this time. However, the AGD Dental Practice Council has monitored the BPA issue since October 2008 and reviewed the present matter yesterday in light of ADA’s statement. The council recommends and provides to you the following response to use as a guideline should you or your colleagues be questioned about the CNN program or about AGD’s position on BPA.
For more information on Bisphenl-A and Dental Materials go to: http://www.ada.org/1766.aspx.
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), through its councils, has been actively monitoring the BPA dialogue within professional communities of interest, including specifically the American Dental Association (ADA), Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Health & Human Services (HHS). Based on current research available, the AGD concurs with the ADA and the authoritative government agencies that the low level of BPA exposure that may result from dental sealants and composites poses no known health threat. The AGD continues to monitor the BPA dialogue and fully supports continued research into the safety of BPA as well as all existing and new dental materials in order to safeguard our patients and the public.
