MArkeTinG TiPs - Academy of General Dentistry

Web Button ANNOUNCEMENTTOP 10 FAGDMarketing Tips1. Talk about your journey to Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry(FAGD) with members, students, and patients, using the FAGD Quick Facts and...............................................................................................................................................Talking Points.......................................................................w.......................................................................2. Place information on your practice website.3. Send an e-mail announcement to your patients.4. Place your plaque in your waiting room or place one in each of your operatories................................................................................................................................................To order more, contact the Membership Services Center at membership@agd.org......................................................e.........................................................................................5. Update your stationery and business cards with your new designation, allowingyour contacts and new acquaintances to learn about the Fellowship award.6. Use the FAGD screensaver so that patients can learn about the award in youroperatories while they wait to be seen.7. Send your press release to your local newspapers to attract new patients.For more information, e-mail media@agd.org.8. Send an article to the announcement section of your local dental organization’s...............................................................................................................................................publication................................................................................................................................................9. Order extra Fellowship pins to place on different coats or suit jackets. To order,contact the Membership Services Center at membership@agd.org.10. Purchase convocation photographs, which are now available online. Use these photosin upcoming e-newsletters or print newsletters, or post them on your website.Quick Facts screen saver...............................................................................................................................................

TalkingPointsSTUDENTFellowship may seem like too largeof an undertaking to discuss withstudents or recent graduates as theybegin their dental careers. But earningFellowship offers new dentists animmediate opportunity to differentiatethemselves from thousands of othergraduates. Fellowship earns credibilityfor recent graduates, showing potentialpartners and clients their dedicationto excellence in dentistry. So take amoment to discuss your award withrecent graduates or students, and investin an incredible network of Academy ofGeneral Dentistry (AGD) Fellows.I’m just beginning my career; why wouldFellowship be important to me?Earning Fellowship establishes you among the mosteducated general dentists in the profession, giving youaccess to an incredible network of talented generaldentists and providing you with credibility early in yourcareer—when you may need it the most.Why did you get your Fellowship?I’ve heard the exam is really hard—whatwas your experience?First of all, 75 to 80 percent of the dentists who attemptthe exam pass it on their first try, and a lot of recentgraduates take the exam straight out of school, whenthe latest techniques and practices are still fresh in theirminds. The AGD also offers several study materials tohelp in preparing for the exam.So I can take the exam right after Igraduate?You bet. To achieve fellowship, you must earn 500 creditsof continuing dental education and pass the exam, butthere is no defined sequence to the two requirements.When and where can I take the exam?Whenever you’re ready, the exam is available year-roundin a computerized format at Schroeder MeasurementTechnologies (SMT) computer testing centers throughoutthe United States and Canada. Or you may choose totake it at the AGD Annual Meeting & Exhibits in a paper/pencil format.How did you prepare for the exam?The AGD offers several different study aids:The Fellowship Exam Study Guide is your handbook thatwill prepare you for the exam, as well as allow you toget an inside look at the types of questions and subjectmatter that will appear on the exam.The Fellowship Exam Study Buddy Forum allows you toask other dentists about their preparation for the exam,and acts as a sounding board for questions and concerns.The Fellowship Examination Review course at theAGD Annual Meeting & Exhibits allows you to revieweverything that you will be tested on—right before youtake the actual exam........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE COVER PAGE.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

How many dentists have a Fellowship inthe AGD?Only 7 percent of general dentists have achieved Fellowship.TalkingPointsPATIENTTalking about your recent achievementmay seem like patting yourself on theback, but it’s more like patting yourpatients’ backs. Explaining your awardto your patients gives them addedsatisfaction in their choice of a generaldentist. Oftentimes, just explainingyour Fellowship can mean the differencebetween a loyal patient and atemporary one.How long does it take to earn Fellowship?It varies, based on personal availability to take the specialcourses and exam. For me, it took to achieve Fellowship.Where can I learn more about Fellowship?Take a look at this fact sheet or visit my website. There’sa button on the home page that says, “Fellow of theAcademy of General Dentistry.” Simply click on thatbutton and you will be redirected to more information.How does your AGD membership benefitme and my family?I care about your long-term dental health, and Idemonstrate that concern by belonging to the AGD.AGD members are dedicated to continuing education tohelp them stay up to date on the latest procedures andprovide quality treatment. The AGD believes that thegeneral dentist who remains current in general dentistryis better able to offer you and your family a variety ofdiagnosis and treatment choices.What does that FAGD at the end of yourname stand for?The FAGD stands for Fellow of the Academy of GeneralDentistry.What is the Academy of GeneralDentistry?The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is theprofessional association for general dentists. It is the onlyorganization exclusively dedicated to representing theinterests and serving the needs of general dentists, like me.Why is Fellowship important?A dentist who has achieved Fellowship offers his or herpatients cutting-edge care. We have to complete 500hours of continuing education in various disciplines andthen pass a rigorous examination. It’s not easy, but it’sworth it to make sure my patients are getting the bestpossible care available.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE COVER PAGE......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Continuing Education Requirement:Candidates must earn 500 hours of FAGDapprovedcontinuing dental education invarious disciplines.QUICKFACTSMembership Requirement:Candidates must be a member in goodstanding for three continuous yearsbefore applying for the award.Active membership in the Academy of General Dentistry(AGD) begins after dental school graduation.Exam Requirement:Candidates must pass the exam.Members can take the Fellowship Exam whenever theyfeel ready.Applicants can take the test as many times as needed butcannot take the same version of the exam twice.The exam is available year-round in a computerizedformat at Schroeder Measurement Technologies (SMT)computer testing centers throughout the United Statesand Canada, and once a year on the Friday of every AGDAnnual Meeting & Exhibits in a paper/pencil version.Exam scores are based on the candidate’s total numberof correct answers. A minimum pass score is establishedbased on candidates’ performances over the past fiveyears. Each year’s exam is statistically equated to previousyears, assuring that the pass level is consistent and thatcandidates do not compete against each other.Seventy-five to 80 percent of those taking the exam passin a given year.AGD members may earn up to 150 hours of continuingeducation (CE) for the completion of an accredited oneyeargeneral practice residency, or up to 300 credit hoursfor the completion of a two-year residency.If you have a faculty appointment at an American DentalAssociation (ADA)- or Canadian Dental Associationaccreditedinstitution, you can receive credit. CEpresentations sponsored by Program Approval forContinuing Education (PACE)- or ADA ContinuingEducation Recognition Program (CERP)-approvedproviders are also eligible for credit.You can receive publication credit toward the Fellowshipaward for authoring published scientific articles.A minimum of 350 hours of CE must be taken throughcourse attendance. A combined maximum of 150 hoursof the required 500 hours can be earned by teachingor publishing articles, and a maximum of 150 selfinstructioncourse hours can be applied to the award.Application Requirement:Candidates must apply for both theFellowship Exam and award.There are separate applications for the Fellowship Examand the Fellowship award.A candidate must apply to take the exam before takingit at any SMT computer testing center or at the AGDAnnual Meeting & Exhibits.Once you have passed the exam, a Fellowship awardapplication will be sent to you automatically. Theapplication is also available on the AGD website or byrequest from AGD Headquarters.Exam PreparationThe AGD sells a Fellowship Exam Study Guide. You canalso register for the Fellowship Examination Reviewcourse at the annual meeting........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE COVER PAGE.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Place Web button:Place the AGD Fellowship Web button on yourpractice website. Right-click on the image andselect “Save Picture As.” Then, send the file to yourwebmaster or upload the image yourself throughyour content management system. Finally, link yourbutton to an explanation of what AGD Fellowshipmeans to educate your patients. Suggested textfollows:Achieving Fellowship in the Academy of GeneralDentistry (FAGD) is one of the few addeddistinctions a general dentist can achieve. TheAcademy of General Dentistry (AGD) is the onlyprofessional association dedicated to exclusivelyserving the interests and needs of the generaldentist.To earn Fellowship in the AGD, dentists must takemore than 500 hours of educational courses invarious disciplines. Candidates also must pass arigorous exam. The award is then presented togeneral dentists in a formal ceremony. is one of only 7percent of general dentists who have achieved thishonor. To learn more about this award or the AGD,visit www.agd.org.Download Screensaver:(Will not work on Macs)1. Click on the screensaver. The “AGD FellowshipScreensaver Setup” window will pop up.2. Select “Install.”3. When installation has finished, select “Finish.”4. The “Display Properties” window should appear.If it does not, go to “Control Panel” and select “Appearanceand Themes.” Then click on the “Screensaver”tab.5. Select the “AGD Fellowship Screensaver” fromthe drop-down list of screensavers.6. Click on “Apply” and then “OK.”Logo:Update your stationery and business cards with theFellowship Logo.Fellowship Logo (jpg file)CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE COVER PAGE

PUBLICIZE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTThe Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD) Public Relations department offers a press releaseprogram that gives all award recipients the opportunity to announce their achievementsto their local community. Check out the press release template and instructions on how todistribute your press release to your local media. You deserve to announce this award toyour local community. Achieving Fellowship in the AGD assures your patients that you arededicated to providing the finest care in general dentistry. Publicizing your achievementwill help raise visibility in your community for the AGD’s image and its members. The AGDis proud of your commitment and wants your community to celebrate this accomplishmentwith you. For more information, e-mail media@agd.org.FELLOWSHIP E-MAIL ANNOUNCEMENTE-mail this announcement to patients to educate them on your award. Download theimage, right-click (PC) or control-click (Mac), select “Copy,” paste this picture into thebody of your e-mail, and send!(Click here to download image.)Your dentist has achievedFellowshipin the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD).I n a n e f f o r t to p r ov i d e yo ucutting-edge care,your dentistc o m p l e t e dMORE THAN500HOURS in educational courses...............................................................................................................................................and passed a meticulous exam.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................to earn this prestigious award....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................at the AGD’s 58th Annual Meeting in New orleans, la....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................FELLOWSHIP ARTICLECustomize this article, and send it to your local dental organization to incorporate in its“Announcement” section. For added appeal, consider including your photo.(Click here to download.) earned Fellowship in the Academy ofGeneral Dentistry (FAGD) at the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)’s 58th Annual Meeting &Exhibits in New Orleans, La., on July 10, 2010.The Fellowship is one of the few post-graduate designations available to general dentists. Itrequires the dentist to complete over 500 hours of continuing education in various disciplinesand to pass a rigorous examination.Dr. was among 239 general dentists who received the Fellowship award in NewOrleans. There are only 6,688 active AGD Fellows throughout the United States and Canada.CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE COVER PAGE...............................................................................................................................................