During their Annual Review of Dentistry held in Sandestin, Fla., September 5 – 9, the Alabama Academy of General Dentistry (ALAGD) raised $3,800 for the AGD Foundation to help in relief efforts for the victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
A last minute e-mail to attendees produced clothing and canned goods for survivors and a booth was set up where ALAGD officers and AGD national officers collected contributions. In addition, the board decided to embrace a proposal that would contribute all profits from the annual meeting to the relief effort.
Gordon Isbell III, DMD, MAGD and an AGD board of trustees member who attended the meeting stated, “We are proud of the efforts of the AGD national leadership and the grass roots leadership in Alabama for the personal attention and time spent to do something for dentists in need. The real rewards in life are received by doing for others.”
To help members displaced by the storm, mobile officers of the ALAGD contacted members of the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners (ABDE) and encouraged them to make a provision to allow dentists and hygienists from Mississippi and Louisiana to practice temporarily in Alabama. The ABDE’s work with the governor’s office resulted in a proclamation issued by Governor Bob Riley.
According to Howard Gamble, DMD, FAGD and ALAGD member, the provision is not dependent on a dentist’s eligibility for licensure by credentials. The temporary license is available through a cooperative effort of the Boards of Dental Examiners of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. For more information, affected dentists should contact the ABDE at 256.985.7267.
The AGD is a non-profit organization of more than 35,000 general dentists and is the premier educational resource for professionals committed to providing quality patient care. The AGD is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of continuing learning to advance general dentistry by providing the best tools and resources available in support of its membership. This commitment to lifelong learning keeps general dentists informed about the latest research, technologies and products in dentistry.