Academy of General Dentistry

Dr. Schmidt sits down with Joseph Lucido, managing partner for Clear to Launch Dental Marketing. Lucido has collaborated with leading industry, professionals to enhance patient acquisition, strengthen brand authority and boost practice, efficiency through innovative strategies and data, driven insights. They share tips for marketing dental practices and growing dental practices. Listen to this episode for useful insight to apply on your practice immediately.

This episode features Leila Zadeh, DMD, FAGD, who discusses advances in digital technology and the relatively recent incorporation of photogrammetry — a method of approximating a 3D structure using 2D images. She shares how it not only improves the accuracy of capturing implant relationships in a 3D space but also helps streamline the final impression process so that it is significantly faster and easier than traditional analog workflows. This story is the feature of an article in the May issue of AGD Impact. Dr. Zadeh is an advanced restorative dentist at digitalDDS and an adjunct assistant professor at NYU Langone Health’s advanced education in general dentistry residency. She also creates educational content for Spear Education.

In this episode, Dr. Schmidt sits down with Adamo Notarantonio, DDS, FICOI, FAACD, a highly regarded cosmetic dentist, to explore the often-overlooked power of composite in aesthetic dentistry. While porcelain options often take center stage in smile makeovers, Dr. Notarantonio shares why mastering composite artistry is not only essential for delivering beautiful results—but also for becoming a true craftsman in cosmetic dentistry. From repairing fractured teeth on teenagers to fine-tuning provisionals, he explains how composite skills translate into superior patient outcomes and provides a deeper understanding of smile design. (Dr. Notarantion will be a speaker at AGD2025, July 9-12.) They also dive into the mindset shift required to build a fulfilling aesthetic practice—from ways to build skill and reputation to learning how to communicate treatment possibilities with patients without overwhelming them. This conversation offers practical insight, real-world advice, and inspiration for dentists at every stage of their journey. Dr. Notarantonio graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine (2002), where he received honors in removable and fixed prosthodontics. He is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and received his Fellowship in the AACD in 2018. He is the current President of the AACD, Credential Examiner and Fellowship Chairman. Dr. Notarantio is a graduate and faculty of the Kois Center. He has received his fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He has been published in multiple dental journals and lectures nationally and internationally on such topics as CAD/CAM dentistry, implant dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, composite dentistry, and dental photography. Tune in to hear how investing in your skills can transform both your dentistry and your career.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Parul Dua Makkar, BSc, DDS, FACD, shares how the loss of her younger brother, Manu Dua, DDS, to oral cancer changed the course of her life and career. Manu was a healthy, young dentist with few risk factors, yet his diagnosis came late — a reality that highlights the critical need for early detection and awareness. Dr. Makkar opens up about her brother’s story, the warning signs that were missed, and the emotional toll of watching a loved one navigate cancer. She also offers practical advice for healthcare providers on how to talk to patients about suspicious lesions, the importance of regular screenings, and the shifting demographics of oral cancer. Following Manu's death, she authored the book Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua's Survival Guide. A passionate advocate, speaker, and award-winning author, Dr. Makkar is on a mission to educate both clinicians and the public about the importance of recognizing oral cancer risks—before it’s too late. She is a Board member American Academy of Oral Systemic Health and a Fellow for the American College of Dentists.

During the latest episode of the AGD Podcast Series, host George Schmidt, DMD, FAGD, talks with David Galler, DMD, one of the top providers of aligner treatments in the U.S. During the episode, Galler describes his early work with aligner therapies to some of the new tools that make them more accessible. He also discusses how incorporating aligners into a patient's care addresses cosmetics, periodontal, and occlusion care. Still, dentists must know how to manage these treatments and keep up with current aligner learning. He also touches on the problem of burnout, asking other dentists questions to help them identify factors impacting their happiness and how to find outlets for things that are causing them stress. As a featured speaker at numerous study clubs, webinars, and national and regional events, Galler has created a strong following of practitioners wanting to learn more about treating patients with his aligner therapy. He is credited with bringing several key innovations to the forefront of the clear aligner field, including the GOST (Galler Ostreicher Spacing Technique), Ortho Munchies, and the GLR 4.0 — Galler's proprietary algorithm. He also runs various HAPPINESS seminars to improve dentists' quality of life. When not treating patients, lecturing, or innovating, Galler enjoys performing stand-up comedy and currently has a residency in Las Vegas, where he performs several times a month.

In this episode, AGD Podcast Series host Dr. George J. Schmidt spoke with William J Moorhead, DMD, who has practiced family and sedation dentistry in Kentucky for over 30 years. Moorhead has developed and teaches systems and strategies for overcoming the challenging issues most practices face with absenteeism, turnover, lack of quick and adequate training, and high overhead. Always looking for new and powerful solutions, he not only solves complex management issues in his practice but shares them with other dentists and their teams. Moorhead has served as president of the Kentucky Dental Association and speaks on topics related to clinical efficiency, dental anesthesia and sedation, dental technology, medical emergencies, and leadership.

So many improvements have been witnessed in the field of digital dentures including streamlined workflows, easy-to-use software, and new and improved manufacturing techniques. In this episode, Dr. Goodacre talks about emerging techniques and other insights that make this a important procedure and tool for general dentists. Take a listen and learn about how you can apply these skills in your practice. Dr. Gooacre will be a speaker at AGD2025, July 9-12, in Montréal. Learn more at agd2025.org

In this episode, Dr. Schmidt connects with Minal Sampat to go over the importance of utilizing a marketing strategy to build a strong practice. She explains the importance of utilizing a data-driven marketing strategy so that dentist can scale their practices accordingly. She shares practical and managable ideas that listeners can apply in their offices. Sampat is a speaker, marketing strategist, and entrepreneur. Raised in the US Virgin Islands, she is an alumnus of Rutgers University. As an RDH, her love for marketing found a powerful outlet as she created and refined new ways to connect with existing and potential patients. As a millennial she mined the riches of social media and technology until she found strategies that worked. She works closely with dentists to ensure they are utilizing a strong strategy to recruit and retain patients.

David James Clark, DDS, joins with Dr. George Schmidt during the latest podcast episode. Dr. Clark explains the art and science of monolithic injection-molded composite dentistry and talks about utilizing injection-molding of composites with modern preparations, super-anatomic clear matrices and heated multi-viscosity composite to solve so many problems without resorting to crowns. (Dr Clark is a speaker at AGD's upcoming scientific session in Montreal, July 9-12.) Dr. Clark is director of Bioclear Learning Centers International. He founded the Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry, creates curriculum for dental schools and has lectured in 25 countries. He developed the Bioclear Matrix System for placement of biologically appropriate and esthetically pleasing direct composite restorations for facilitating injection-molding of the Clark Class I and Class II preparations, diastema closure, and black triangle elimination combined with papilla regeneration. The Clark Class I and Class II preparations and restorations are now being evaluated in in vivo and in vitro studies. He owns several patents. He published the first guide to dentinal and enamel cracks based on clinical microscope dentistry (16× magnification). Clark is a 1986 graduate of the University of Washington School of Dentistry.

In this episode, Dr. Schmidt interviews Thomas Viola, RPh, CCP, CDE, CPMP, about important perspectives on prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and substances frequently used by patients and other medications used in the dental office. They also discuss best practices for prescribing and current protocols to follow. With over 30 years’ experience as a board-certified pharmacist, clinical educator, professional speaker and published author, Viola has earned his national and international reputation as the go-to specialist for making pharmacology practical and useful for all members of the dental team. Viola has presented over 1,000 informative, humorous and engaging CE seminars and webinars to dental professionals internationally since 2001. He has several courses on the schedule for AGD's upcoming scientific session in Montréal. Learn more and register for the meeting which will take place July 9-12, 2025