The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE) was created to assist members of the AGD and the dental profession in identifying and participating in quality continuing dental education (CDE).

PACE approves program provider organizations, not speakers or specific courses. The program provider approval mechanism is an evaluation for the educational processes used in designing, planning, and implementing CE. Approval by the AGD does not imply endorsement of course content, products, or therapies presented, nor does this approval imply that a state or provincial board of dentistry will accept courses. Approved program providers are expected to comply with all relevant state and federal laws. CE offered by approved program providers will be accepted by the AGD for Fellowship/Mastership credit.

To qualify for PACE Approval all organizations MUST have offered a planned program of CDE activities for at least 12 months. Note: If your organization has not offered a planned program of continuing dental activities for at least 12 months, the AGD will accept CE units issued by your organization for membership maintenance credit but the units will not be applied towards the member’s Fellowship/ Mastership award. 

Apply for NATIONAL PACE Approval if your organization:

• Offers courses in more than one state or province
• Draws a significant portion of participants from more than one state or province
• Offers self instruction programs
• Offers protocol (onsite/in-office) participation course

• Offers courses in only one state or province
• Draws a significant portion of participants from only one state or province
• Does not offer self instruction programs
• Does not offer protocol (onsite/in-office) participation course

Apply for National PACE Approval
Thank you for your interest in the AGD Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE). Program providers who assume responsibility for the quality and implementation of CDE programs (including planning, administering, publicizing, presenting, and record keeping) in more than one state/province, or that draw dentists from more than one state/province are appropriate for national program provider approval. Organizations must have put CE activities on for at least one year to be considered. PACE eligibility requirements can be referenced on page 2 of the guidebook .

Download the PDF application for program provider approval and review the guidebook, which contains the AGD's 14 standards and criteria for approval. Applications are reviewed based on these standards.

Samples included are intended to be examples of the types of samples you should be using in your program to meet PACE standards. If you are not currently using any of these elements, your can modify the examples we give you to fit your program, start using in your program, and submit as your sample. Standard XIV can be used as an example in formulating your organization's guidelines or policies related to commercial support. Please refer back to the guidebook for clarification as you complete the application.

• Publicity Sample  
• Samples
• AGD Sample Roster    

The Committee on PACE reviews applications on a bi-monthly schedule. To ensure that your application will be reviewed in a timely manner, please remember the following:

• Applications must be typed or printed.
• Do not bind the application into book form.
• Samples are required for questions 4, 11, 17, 22, 38, 44, 51, 55, 58, and 61.
• Applications with missing samples will not be reviewed by the committee.

Label all samples with the question to which they refer in the upper right-hand corner.
Provide four complete copies of your application and required samples.
A $575 application fee must accompany all applications. A check payable to the AGD should be submitted to:

Academy of General Dentistry-DE
28148 Network Place
Chicago, IL  60673-1281

Thank you for your support of quality continuing dental education. Do not hesitate to contact the AGD toll-free at 888.243.3368 ext. 4335, or e-mail at PACE@agd.org if you have any questions concerning national program provider approval to offer CE for Fellowship/Mastership credit.

Apply for Local PACE Approval
Thank you for your interest in becoming an AGD-approved program provider of continuing education. Please download the application for constituent program provider approval here.

• Constituent Application

Samples included are intended to be examples of the types of samples you should be using in your program to meet PACE standards. If you are not currently using any of these elements, you can modify the examples we give you to fit your program, start using in your program, and submit as your sample. Standard XIV can be used as an example in formulating your organization's guidelines or policies related to commercial support. Please refer back to the Guidebook for clarification as you complete the application.

• Samples
• Publicity Sample   
• AGD Sample Roster

The provider approval representative from the state/province in which you sponsor CE must review the completed application. Please consult the list of constituent approval representatives where the appropriate provider approval representatives for your state/province are noted. List of Constituent Approval Representatives

Your completed application should be mailed to the appropriate provider approval representative.

Finally, you should contact the representative regarding any review fees before submitting the application. (Note: For New York Sponsors Only. Three copies of the completed application and attachments must be mailed to the New York State AGD if you are seeking sponsor approval from this state.)

Your interest in offering AGD-approved continuing dental education is appreciated. If you have any questions concerning the application, feel free to contact the AGD toll-free at 888.243.3368, ext 4114.