Mastership in the AGD

Dr. Williams was awarded MASTERSHIP in the Academy of General Dentistry in Denver, Colorado August 5, 2006 at the annual conference of the Academy. The mastership program requires 600 plus hours of dental courses for the review of clinical dentistry.

A member achieving this distinction has completed a challenging course of hands-on study in 16 dental disciplines. In August 2005, Dr. Williams completed the five-year Georgia Academy of General Dentistry MasterTrack program that met for three days every quarter to achieve the requisite hours.

The courses were heavily weighted towards participation courses which means hands-on training by the highest of standards. Dr. Williams now has over 721 participation hours and 1985 additional lecture attendance hours for his Mastership requirements.

Read below the “Mastership Charge” which illustrates the significance and responsibilities of attaining Mastership in the AGD. Mastership is awarded for continuing education excellence after attaining the Fellowship level in the Academy of General Dentistry.

Recipients of the Mastership award are entitled to the designation, M.A.G.D. (Master Academy of General Dentistry) as a part of their academic credentials. Only 1% of dentists achieve Mastership status in the Academy.

Dr. Williams is currently a MASTER in the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, having achieved that status in 1993. ICCMO is the primary dental organization of Neuromuscular Dentistry. In the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Williams is a Sustaining Member. He is also a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the International Academy for Sports Dentistry and the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain.

These are the members of the Georgia Academy of General Dentistry’s Mastertrack Class of 2005: Lori Stevens Miller, Jack Leverette, Jim Curtis, our instructor from Columbia, SC, Dina Giesler, Roy McDonald, Carol Wooden, our administrator from Atlanta, DennisMartin, Brett Silverman, Angie Gribble, Travis Hampton, Bill Williams, John Sieweke, and Tom Price.

2001 Courses Completed

• February 15 – Common Sense Dentistry: NDDS, Atlanta, GA
• February 16-18 – Oral Diagnosis/Dental Photography: Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA
• February 21 – BriteSmile Update, Atlanta, GA
• March 16-19 – Hinman Dental Meeting, Atlanta, GA
• March 21 – Endodontics: Gwinnett Dental Society, Lilburn, GA
• May 18-20 – Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment: Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA
• May 23-26 – American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Annual Mtg, Boston, MA
• June 29 – Damon Orthodontic Video Conference, Atlanta, GA
• July 13 – InLine Orthodontics Invisalign Training, Atlanta, GA
• July 27-28 – Dad the Family Shepherd, Sugar Hill, GA
• August 17-19 – Occlusion and TMJ Diagnosis and Tx: Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA
• October 5-7 – Craniomandibular Disorders, Orthodontics, Neuromuscular Diagnosis Sleep Apnea and Airway Diagnosis, Necrotic Bone Lesions: ICCMO, Bad Homberg, Germany
• October 31 – Bicon Dental Implant: Integrated Abutments, Atlanta, GA
• November 16-18 – Restorative Dentistry: Mastership AGD course, Atlanta, GA
• December 1 – Invisalign Orthodontic Certification Training, Atlanta, GA

2002 Courses Completed

• Jan 17-19 – Cain, Watters & Assoc Annual Mtg.– Practice Management, Nutrition, Building an Exceptional Dental Practice, World Economic Outlook, Orlando, FL
• February 15-17 – Dental Materials, Cosmetic Dentistry, Risk Management: Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA
• March 22-24 – Hinman Dental Meeting: Periodontal Plastic Surgery, Atlanta, GA
• March 27 – Gwinnett Dental Society: Oral Medicine Update on AIDS, Duluth, GA
• April 26 – BioLaser In-Service Training, Suwanee, GA
• May 17-19 – Periodontics Protocol Presentation, Occlusion Protocol Presentation, Esthetic Dentistry Protocol Presentation, Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA
• July 19-21 – The World Clinical Laser Symposium – Laser Certification, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• August 16-18 – Fixed Prosthodontics Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA
• September 13-14 – Cain-Watters & Associates Practice Management Seminar, Dallas, TX
• October 4-5 – Oral Sedation in Dentistry, DOCS, New Orleans, LA
• October 11 – Removable Dentures: Dr. Turbyfield, GAGD, Atlanta, GA
• October 23 – Invisalign Orthodontic Technique Update: NDDS, Atlanta, GA
• November 8-10 – Advanced Oral Sedation, D.O.C.S., Philadelphia, PA
• November 15-17 – Removable Prosthodontics, Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA

2003 Courses Completed

• January 24-25 – Dental Practice Management: Cain-Watters & Assoc. Dallas, TX
• February 8-16 – LASER FOCUS and Team Building: St. Martin, D.W.I.
• February 19 – Dental Materials Update: Ivoclar, Inc. Atlanta, GA
• February 21-23 – Care of Medically Compromised Patients: Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA
• March 20-23 – Hinman Dental Meeting: Endodontic Update, Endodontic Complications I & II, Aesthetic Dental Implantology, Distraction Osteogenesis. Atlanta, GA
• April 23 – Implant Update, Northern District Dental Society, Dr. Ed Mills, Atlanta, GA
• April 29-May 3 – American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Annual Scientific Session, Orlando, FL
• May 16-18 – Endodontics Update, Practice Management: Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA
• June 13 – Office Magic Dental Management Seminar for the whole team, Atlanta, GA
• June 18-21 – International Academy for Sports Dentistry Annual Session, San Juan, Puerto Rico
• August 15-17 – Protocol Course in Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics. Practice Management. Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA
• September 12 – T-Scan Occlusal Analyais Advanced Training Course, Atlanta, GA
• November 13-15 – T.B.S.E. Madow Brothers Dental Symposium on Motivation, Marketing, Management, Endodontics, Communication, and Happiness. Las Vegas, Nevada
• November 21-23 – Protocol Course in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry. Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA

2004 Courses Completed

• January 30-31 – American Academy of Craniofacial Pain: Neuromuscular Dentistry. Phoenix, AZ
• February 20-22 – Participation Course in Dental Implant Prosthetics from Doug Clepper, DMD. Mastership AGD Course, Atlanta, GA
• March 10 – Dental Implant Update, Duluth, GA
• March 18-20 – Hinman Dental Socitey Annual Meeting: Surgical and Restorative Aspects of Implant Dentistry, Practice Management, Endodontics,Cosmetic Dentistry, Reconstruction Dentistry, Prosthodontics: Atlanta, GA
• March 25 – Gwinnett Dental Society: Dental Implants: Surgical and Prosthetic Approaches, Duluth, GA
• April 16-18 – Cain-Watters/Charles Martin, DDS Mastermind Group: Practice Mgt., Dallas TX
• April 27-May 1 – American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry-Annual Session Vancouver, B.C.
• May 20 – Standard of Care: Implant Dentistry’s Place in 2004, Paul Korb, DDS, Atlanta, GA
• May 21-23 – Academy of General Dentistry MasterTrack Program: Esthetic Dentistry and Endodontics Protocol Course: Atlanta, GA (day classes)
• May 20-23 – Healing and Prayer Ministry Training in conjunction with Dr. Paul Cox of Aslan’s Place, Tom R. Hawkins of Restoration in Christ Ministries, Ian Andrew of the International Association of Healing Ministries, and Dr. Cliff and Diane Garrison of the Haven of Hope Counseling Center at Sugar Hill UMC, Sugar Hill, GA (evening classes)
• July 22-25 – Jesus Film Briefing: International Missions, Mackinac Island, Michigan
• July 29-31 – Cain-Watters/Charles Martin, DDS Mastermind Group: Practice Mgt.2nd Session, Dallas, TX
• August 20-22 – Academy of General Dentistry MasterTrack Program: Implant Surgical Participation Course, Dr. James Curtis Director of the Palmetto Health General Dentistry Residency Program: Atlanta, GA
• September 1 – Implant Dentistry: Prosthodontic Restoration of Dental Implants: Dr. George Priest and Dr. Paul Korb, Alpharetta, GA
• October 1-3 – Cain-Watters Dental Business Mastery Program, Dallas, TX
• October 21-23 – Steams of Healing Waters Conference, Eva Dooley, Carolyn Alello, et al from The Watering Hole in Chicago, IL, Sugar Hill, GA
• November 4-6 – Cain-Watters/Charles Martin, DDS Mastermind Group: Practice Mgt 3rd Session, Dallas, TX
• November 11-13 – TBSE Dental Seminar, Las Vegas, NV
• November 19-21 – Academy of General Dentistry MasterTrack Program; Esthetic Dentistry, Dr. James Curtis Director of the Palmetto Health General Dentistry Residency Program; Atlanta, GA

2005 Courses Completed

• February 4 – Cerec In-Office Training, Serona Corp / Patterson Dental, Suwanee, GA
• February 18-20 – Academy of General Dentistry MasterTrack Program: Oral Surgery, Atlanta, GA
• February 23 – Implant Prosthodontics: Dr. Paul Korb Seminars, Duluth, GA
• February 25-26 – Cerec Basic Training, Serona Corp/ Dr. John Palmer, Greenville, S.C.
• March 18-19 – Hinman Dental Meeting: Precision Endodontics, Advanced Treatment Planning, Implant Dentistry, Atlanta, GA
• April 17-18 – World Clinical Laser Institute Southeastern Regional Congress: Laser Endodontics, Periodontal Surgery, Oral Surgery, and Cosmetic Dental Surgery: Atlanta, GA
• April 20-23 – American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Annual Session: All phases of cosmetic dentistry including Lumineers, Elite, Empress, DeVinci, and Cerec veneers, extreme makeovers, portrait and dental photography, porcelain crowns, gingival recontouring, cosmetic bonding, LVI dental concepts, and managing the cosmetic dental practice. Nashville, TN
• May 20-22 – Academy of General Dentistry MasterTrack Program: Forensic Dentistry, Endodontics, Atlanta, GA
• July 15-16 – Southern Section American Academy of Implant Dentistry Annual Meeting: Coral Gables FL, Bone Graft Techniques in Oral Implantology, Dr. Craig Misch, DDS, MDS and Jaime Lorzada, DDS
• August 19-21 – Academy of General Dentistry MasterTrack Program: Oral Surgery, Multidisciplinary Case Presentation, Oral Medicine and Oral Diagnosis. Atlanta, GA
• August 31 – 3i Implant Innovations, Inc. Implant Prosthodontics, Dr. Gary Morris, Duluth, GA
• December 1-3 – TBSE Dental Seminar for the entire staff, Las Vegas, NV

2006 Courses Completed

• January 7-14 – Naomi Rhode / Jim Rhode Dental Seminar for the entire staff, Maui, Hawaii
• February 11 – CEREC #D Advanced Training, Douglas W. Voiers, DDS, Atlanta, GA
• March 2 – Teeth In An Hour Dental Implant Technical Program, Northern District Dental Society, Dr. Forest Butler, Lilburn, GA
• March 25 – Hinman Dental Society: Contemporary Root Coverage Grafting-Dr. Edward P. Allen, Atlanta, GA
• April 21-22 – Cleansing Streams: Prayer Ministry Training and Preparation: Augusta, GA
• April 28 – Bone Grafting and Implant Prosthodontics: Dr. Forrest Butler, Lilburn, GA
• May 6-7 – Lumineers Training Participation Program, Dr. Louis Malcmacher, Denmat Corp. Atlanta, GA
• May 16-21 – American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Annual Session: All phases of cosmetic dentistry including Lumineers, Elite, Empress, MacVeneers, DeVinci, and Cerec veneers, extreme makeovers, portrait and dental photography, porcelain crowns, gingival recontouring, cosmetic bonding, LVI dental concepts, and managing the cosmetic dental practice. Advanced bone grafting participation class: Key to successful bone grafting for ridge preservation and dental implants. San Diego, CA
• August 2-6 – Academy of General Dentistry annual meeting: Dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontal disease, fitness and nutrition, bone grafting, smile analysis, porcelain veneers, and advances in oral cancer screening : Denver, CO
• December 27-29 – Adventures in Attitude: Staff Retreat and Communication Course presented by Jennifer McDonald. Whistler, B.C. Canada

2007 Courses Completed

• February 9 – Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: Dr. Dennis Wells – Conservative reparations in Cosmetic Dentistry with UltraThin Porcelain Veneers. Dr. Brad Durham – Building the Niche Cosmetic Dental Practice with Excellence. Atlanta, GA
• March 16-17 – Hinman Dental Society Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA: Implant Prosthodontics Fixed Prosthodontics, Periodontal Plastic Surgery.
• April 14 – Medical / Dental Missions Around the World: Association of Baptists for World Evangelism: Missions Conference, Clearwater Christian College, Clearwater, FL
• April 27-28 – Kinetic Guidance: Computer Aided Design, CT Scan Utilization for Dental Implants and Oral Rehabilitation. Dr. Jack Krauser and Dr. Scott Ganz, Atlanta, GA
• May 15-19 – American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: Porcelain veneers, Dental implants, Esthetic dentistry, Neuromuscular dentistry, Lava crowns, Periodontal Plastic Surgery, Grafts, Bone Grafts, Thin Veneers: Atlanta, GA
• June 8 – Georgia Chapter American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: Principles of Cosmetic Dentistry : Atlanta, GA
• July 27 – T-Scan Online Tech Training: Occlusal Equilibration Using the T-Scan: Suwanee, GA
• September 11 – ProMax CT Scan In-Office Training: Planmecca, Suwanee, GA
• September 15 – Sleep Apnea, Snoring and Dental Theraputics: Dental Appliances for Sleep Apnea and Snoring – Oasis Appliance, Silent Night, Tap II Appliance, Remmer Sleep Recorder: Dr. John Remmer and Dr. Mark Abramson
• October 26 – Georgia Chapter American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: Principles of Cosmetic Dentistry Advanced Implants: Atlanta, GA
• November 16-18 – International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics: International Sessions on TMJ, Orthodontic, Craniomandibular Disorders Examination and Diagnosis Neuromuscular Dentistry, Treatment of Pain, Malocclusion, Headaches: by Drs. Maurizio Bergamini, Norman Thomas, Rainer Schoettl, Chris Simmons, Atsushi Yamashita, Jean Claude Combadazou et al: Vicenza, Italy

2008 Courses Completed

• January 12 – Georgia Chapter American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: Principles of Cosmetic Dentistry for Accreditation I: Jim Merriman, DMD, MAGD: Atlanta, GA
• March 1 – Biophotonic Scanner Analysis of Antioxidant Levels in Human Nutrition: Mike Leone Pharmanex: Suwanee, GA
• March 14 – Hinman Dental Meeting, Atlanta, GA Oral Surgery, Lasers in Dentistry, Communications
• March 29 – Georgia Chapter American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: Principles of Cosmetic Dentistry for Accreditation II: Jim Merriman, DMD, MAGD: Atlanta, GA
• May 6-10 – American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry 24th Annual Scientific Session – New Orleans, LA: The Oral Systemic Connection, Omer K. Reed, DDS Mastering Anterior Direct Composite Resins to Achieve Accreditation Results, James h. Peyton, DDS, Aesthetic Rehabilitation of the Worn Smile: Christopher Orr, BDS, Implant Retained Over-Dentures: Joseph Massad, DDS, Esthetic Implant Restorations: David A. Little, DDS
• June 17 – Intellident Solutions, Inc.: Sometimes CTing is Believing: the Cone Beam CT in Dentistry, Dr. Paul Korb, Duluth, GA
• July 12 – Dental Missions Seminar: Suwanee Dental Care’s  Dr. Bill Williams Who, What, When, Where, How to Organize and Conduct an International Dental Mission Suwanee, GA

2009 – To Be added

The Mastership Charge

G.V. black, ‘the father of modern dentistry’, once said “the professional person has no right to be other than a continuous student”.

The Academy of General Dentistry was founded over 50 years ago by Thaddeus Weclew to put those words into formal action.

We honor more than 2,100 dOctoberrs as masters of the Academy of General Dentistry who have profoundly demonstrated the professional obligation to maintain and advance their technical skills and knowledge as envisioned by dOctoberrs Black and Weclew.

Mastership is the highest honor available in the Academy of General Dentistry and one of the most respected and recognizable designations in the dental profession.

To achieve Mastership, the individual must complete a minimum of 1,100 hours in approved continuing dental education. Many have completed much more.

At least 400 hours must be accrued in participation courses, those that involve actual application of a technique or skill under close supervision by highly qualified experts. They have been trained by the best to be the best.

In addition, to qualify for mastership, individuals must meet the requirements of a rigorous didactic formula that insures they are exposed to current scientific and clinical approaches in all disciplines of dentistry.

The Academy appreciates the hard work and sacrifices AGD Masters have made, as well as the support you have received from their families and dental teams, in achieving this auspicious goal. And it is the Academy’s honor to recognize them for their commitment to professional excellence.

Achieving the goal of Master of the Academy of General Dentistry is a significant milestone in a member’s career and clearly establishes a dentist as a shining example to other members of the profession. With this honor comes responsibility.

1st – there is a responsibility to self- To continue the journey as a lifelong learner and remain abreast of the current scientific information and clinical procedures, as well as cutting-edge advances in the profession.

2nd – there is a responsibility to the dental profession-Masters of the Academy of General Dentistry have participated in some of the best, most comprehensive continuing education available. They must use their experience and position to teach and give others the benefit of what they have learned.

Be involved and be mentors. Use your knowledge to improve existing continuing education programs and help develop quality programs were none exists. Be a recognizable participant in study clubs, society meetings, regional conferences, and significantly, local dental schools.

3rd – there is a responsibility to the Academy-Masters of the Academy of General Dentistry have influence and prestige within the organization. Keep the commitment to the academy strong and leverage thee master position to make the AGD an even better organization.

Stay engaged whether it be on a constituent, regional or national level. Masters’ talents are needed as the academy moves forward into a new era.

4th – there is a responsibility to community- Master credentials speak for themselves within the dental profession, but masters must actively extend their influence and talents into the communities that they serve. Be committed and be leaders.

Exemplarity dedication, concern, compassion and understanding in the community in the manner of unselfish service. Doing so will enhance the professional image among those we serve, and those who might enter our profession tomorrow.

Masters, are leaders in the profession charged with the obligations and responsibilities outlined here. In accepting the award masters have made a commitment to the highest professional standards and the ideals of the Academy of General Dentistry. It is a commitment that will last throughout their professional life.