CHICAGO (November 3, 2006) On October 17, 2006, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) received the Ethics and Professionalism Award from the American College of Dentists (ACD) at its annual meeting in Las Vegas. The award recognizes exceptional contributions by individuals or organizations in the promotion of ethics or professionalism in dentistry.
Stephen A. Ralls, DDS, EdD, MSD, executive director of the ACD, says that the AGD deserves the award due to its ³visible and ongoing commitment to ethics, ethical practice, and professionalism.²
The AGD received this award as a result of its continual effort to emphasize the importance of ethics in the profession. The AGD accomplishes this by being the only dental organization to offer a column on dental ethics in its bi-monthly clinical and peer-reviewed publication, General Dentistry. Past topics have included ³Emergency situations,² ³How to refer with confidence² and ³Another doctor¹s patient.² In 2004, the articles were so well-received and thought-provoking that the AGD won the ACD/American Association of Dental Editors¹ (AADE) Prize for Journalism.
AGD President Bruce R. DeGinder, DDS, MAGD, accepted the award on behalf of the AGD from ACD President Marcia A. Boyd, DDS, MA, LHD.
³This is an incredible honor for our organization,² said Dr. DeGinder. ³The AGD is committed to encouraging ethical behavior in the organization, and receiving this prestigious award is a reflection of what the AGD promotes on a daily basis. There are a number of ways the AGD promotes the importance of ethics and professionalism to its members, and it is especially important when they can be applied to our patients¹ quality of care. Dentists who are committed to behaving in an ethical manner ensure that our patients receive the best oral care available.²
In addition to its journal and newsmagazine articles about ethics, the AGD routinely sponsors courses that promote ethical concepts at its annual meeting. The AGD¹s annual meting offers attendees the opportunity to earn a year¹s worth of continuing dental education while networking with peers.