What do the initials “F.A.G.D.” and “D.M.D.” mean after Dr. Licata’s name?
D.M.D. is her dental degree, which is latin for Doctor of Dental Medicine. Some dental schools bestow a D.M.D. degree and others bestow a D.D.S. degree. There is no difference between the two degrees. The initials F.A.G.D. stand for Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a voluntary professional dental organization to which Dr. Licata has belonged even before graduation from dental school. The AGD places emphasis on life-long continued dental education, above and beyond what is needed for basic state requirements for annual licensure. To earn Fellowship status, a dentist must achieve at least 500 hours of continued education then pass a rigorous 8-hour written exam. Dr. Licata achieved her Fellowship status in 1997, and was bestowed her Fellowship degree at the 1998 AGD National Convention Convocation ceremony in Boston, MA. Dr. Licata achieved her Fellowship 9 years after graduating from dental school. If a dentist met only the state requ
