MASTER OF THE ACADEMY OF GENERAL DENTISTRY
The Fellowship and Mastership designations are two of the most rigorous continuing dental education programs today. A general dentist who is a “Fellow” in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) has been recognized by other general dentists as a leader and example to other dentists of the importance of quality continuing dental education to patient care. A general dentist who has earned the designation “Master” of the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD) has completed a structured and demanding set of requirements involving all the dental disciplines
To attain Mastership, members must first be Fellows in the AGD. Then dentists must earn an additional 600 approved continuing education credits, meeting minimum requirements in certain dental disciplines, of which 400 hours are hands-on courses. Thus, a Master of the AGD has taken a total of 1,100 hours of continuing education. A Master has studied 16 disciplines in dentistry, such as periodontics, orthodontics and implants.
How FAGD or MAGD Benefits Patients
Fellows and Masters of the AGD follow a lifelong pursuit of continuing education to provide the highest quality of dental care to patients. The award symbolizes the professional responsibility of general dentists to remain current in their profession and reminds each member of the dental profession to continue to learn new techniques for their dental practice. Every dentist who applies for the Fellowship or Mastership Award has their application reviewed by the AGD Council on Dental Education to assure that the high standards of the AGD are met.
How AGD Membership Benefits Patients
When a dentist has achieved the Fellowship or Mastership Award, patients can be assured that their dentist is dedicated to providing the finest care in general dentistry. There are 175,000 dentists in the United States. Of the more than 35,000 members, more than 14,000 members of the AGD have become Fellows and 2,200 have gone on to receive Mastership. The AGD requires all of its members to take at least 75 hours of continuing dental education every three years. Dr Korwin has taken between 150 and 300 hours of continuing education per year.