During its recent Annual Review of Dentistry held in Sandestin, Fla., the Alabama Academy of General Dentistry raised $3,800 for the AGD Foundation to help in relief efforts for the victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
A last minute e-mail to attendees produced clothing and canned goods for
survivors and a booth was set up where ALAGD officers and AGD national
officers collected contributions.
In addition, the board decided to embrace a proposal that would contribute all profits from the annual meeting to the relief effort.
Gordon Isbell III, DMD, MAGD and an AGD board of trustees member who
attended the meeting stated, "We are proud of the efforts of the AGD
national leadership and the grass roots leadership in Alabama for the
personal attention and time spent to do something for dentists in need. The
real rewards in life are received by doing for others."
To help members displaced by the storm, mobile officers of the ALAGD
contacted members of the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners (ABDE) and
encouraged them to make a provision to allow dentists and hygienists from
Mississippi and Louisiana to practice temporarily in Alabama. The ABDE's
work with the governor's office resulted in a proclamation issued by
Governor Bob Riley.
According to Howard Gamble, DMD, FAGD and ALAGD member, the provision is not dependent on a dentist's eligibility for licensure by credentials. The
temporary license is available through a cooperative effort of the Boards of
Dental Examiners of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
For more information, affected dentists should contact the ABDE at (256) 985-7267.
