By adding enhancements to its Web site, www.agd.org, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) makes it even easier for general dentists and dental students to distinguish their career by joining the AGD - the only organization dedicated to advancing the value and excellence of general dentistry.
Online visitors can now join the organization through a few quick steps by accessing an online membership application, found under the "Join Now" button. Visitors can interactively apply for membership via a secure server and then gain access to member product and service discounts, "Members Only" information resources and member Web services.
"This new feature makes it easier for general dentists to belong to a full service organization committed to helping them remain current with advances in the profession," says AGD President Bruce Burton, DMD, MAGD, ABGD. "In addition, we look forward to continuing to add more enhancements to the site by adding new functionalities to support our members, corporate partners and public."
The top five enhanced capabilities and resources added to AGD’s Web site in the past year include:
Enhanced Member Profile Section – This feature allows all AGD members to update their individual record profile, where they can submit their continuing education credits, edit their e-mail preferences and create and manage their practice Web page.
Online Continuing Dental Education (CDE) Source and CDE Transcripts on Demand – AGD offers its members an online listing of courses that are PACE and CERP approved. All of the courses count towards Fellowship and Mastership. AGD also records its members’ course credits and keeps track of all of the courses members take and earn. Transcripts can be accessed via the Web site whenever a member needs one, making re-licensure simple and convenient.
Integrated Member Log-in - All AGD members now only have to log in once per year to easily access members only content .
Enhancements to "Find an AGD Dentist" Patient Referral Search – All AGD members are automatically enrolled in this service, which now offers consumers the ability to conduct a comprehensive search to find an AGD dentist and to contact them via e-mail.
Integrated "Real-time" Online Meeting Registration – This allows all AGD members to view courses and register for the Annual Meeting and find out if sessions are still available or sold out, as well as access the entire Annual Meeting program brochure.
"AGD provides powerful resources and can help its members further advance their commitment to professional development, continuing education and quality patient care," says Dr. Burton. "When a dentist joins the AGD, they immediately gain access to continuing dental education (CDE) recording and transcripts on demand, member Web site builder, E-mail forwarding, networking opportunities, patient referral services, award-winning publications, reduced registration fees and exclusive and low rates on personal and professional services.
In addition, only AGD members can earn the prestigious Fellowship and Mastership awards. Both rigorous processes require three years of membership in the AGD, taking a vast amount of CDE and passing an exam, all of which culminates with receiving the final award honor at an annual convocation ceremony held at AGD’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition.
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.