AGD Foundation

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Foundation is proud of its tradition as an integral part of the Academy of General Dentistry. The AGD Foundation works hard to further the goals of the Academy of General Dentistry and the people it serves and is dedicated to improving the oral health of the public and supporting the efforts of the general dentist through financial support of scientific, educational, and charitable initiatives, which are determined by the Academy of General Dentistry.

Special Olympics Special Smiles -- Resources for Dental Care
In the continuing mission to empower people with intellectual disabilities reach their full potential, Special Olympics has partnered with the AGD Foundation to help identify providers for primary dental care for Special Olympics athletes.

The AGD Foundation works with Special Olympics to provide dental screenings at Special Olympic events and in-office dental care for the athletes, their families, their care-givers.

Special Olympics Special Smiles Challenge Winners
The Special Olympics Special Smiles Region Challenge offered a free trip to Shanghai for the International Special Olympic Games in October from the AGD Region with the highest percentage of members signing up for the Special Smiles On-line Directory. The announcement of the winning Region and Individual was a highlight of the awards presentations during the recent AGD2007 San Diego.

The Region with the highest percentage of members sign-up for the SOSS On-Line Directory was Region 6 (Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, West Virginia).

The winning member whose name was drawn from those Region 6 SOSS Directory sign-ups and who’ll go to Shanghai for the International Special Olympic Games is Rodgers "Mike" Harshbarger, DDS, Saint Albans, West Virginia.

Congratulations to Dr. Harshbarger and to Region 6 for their commitment to Special Olympics Special Smiles and the AGD Foundation’s SOSS initiative.

Special Olympics Special Smiles (SOSS) is part of the Special Olympics Health Athletes initiative that works to provide services to people with intellectual disabilities.  Other specialties included in the Healthy Athletes program are optometry, audiology, podiatry, and physical therapy.

Helping Special Olympics Special Smiles is more than just working as a volunteer…it’s the follow-up in the dentist’s office that saves lives.

At the AGD 2007 Annual Meeting, Dustin Plunkett, a 26-year old Global Messenger for Special Olympics, shared his story with the AGD audience.  His dental prescreening at the Healthy Athlete Village during summer games revealed dental issues that needed immediate attention.  Through his coach’s family dentist, Dustin was able to get a thorough examination that revealed gum cancer.  Today he is cancer free…and all because of Special Smiles…and a caring dentist.

As a Global Messenger, Dustin brings his story to a wide audience.  “I am now able to show my million dollar smile every time I have a speech,” says Dustin.

On-Line Provider Directory – Help for Special Athletes

The SOSS on-line provider directory serves as a resource for this underserved population, their families or their care-givers by giving them the name and contact information for doctors who can provide dental care.

Becoming a resource in the on-line directory does not mean that AGD members are asked to provide free dental care for Special Athletes.  It simply means that those in the directory are willing and able to treat athletes with intellectual disabilities.

To date over 400 AGD members have added their names to the list of providers.  Join your colleagues who have shown their commitment to AGDF’s Special Olympics Special Smiles Initiative by adding your name to the directory.Click here to sign-up! 

General Education Fund
We are proud to announce that you have exclusive access to discounts on the most up-to-date continuing dental education in the industry involving implant and implant restoration programs. The AGD and the Perio Institute have partnered to offer ten, two-day, hands-on implant placement workshops entitled, “Hands-on Implant Placement Workshop: Safe, Simple, Predictable.” Nobel Biocare makes these high-quality workshops possible through a generous grant to the AGD Foundation. These courses will be offered regionally throughout North America at a discount of $50 to AGD members. Find out where and when.

Program Development Fund
This fund will allow the AGD to proactively address dental industry challenges by providing resources for programs focused on industry study and collaboration. Proposed initiatives include the establishment of a Leadership Council with representatives from American Dental Association (ADA) recognized dental specialties, dental societies, and other related professions including medical doctors, pharmacists, and surgeons. Leadership Council meetings will promote ongoing dialogue to identify challenges, establish goals, encourage collaboration, and avoid duplication of efforts.

Make a Contribution
Join your colleagues who are helping to improve oral health. Please support the efforts of the AGD Foundation as generously as possible. Make a contribution now.

Donate by Fax or Mail
Print the contribution form , fill it out, and fax or mail to the AGD Foundation. The address is listed below.

Donate by Telephone
Donate to the AGD Foundation by telephone using your credit card. Call 888.AGD DENT (243.3368), extension 4306. Please call weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., CST.