CHICAGO--Paula S. Jones, DDS, FAGD, of Naperville, Ill., made history when she was installed as the first female president of the Academy of General Dentistry July 16-20 during the AGD's 56th Annual Meeting and Exhibits in Orlando, Fla.
"As the voice of general dentistry, the AGD has always upheld the highest standards of quality and as president, I will ensure these values are maintained," said Dr. Jones. "With the exceptional AGD leadership working alongside me, we will address the concerns of the members of this organization and continue the quest to protect and serve the patient in the ever-changing world of health care.
Over the years, Dr. Jones has served in many capacities with the AGD. In 1993, she was appointed to the Council on Membership, serving two terms (6 years), which included five years as chair. She then was elected regional director for the Illinois AGD.
She served three years on the AGD's Council on Annual Meetings and International Conferences and was elected to the AGD's Board of Trustees for her region in 2002. She served as a member of the AGD Foundation's Board of Directors from 2004-2007.
Dr. Jones has been a national media spokesperson since 1994 and a SmileLine Online volunteer since its inception, providing answers to questions posted to a consumer online dental health forum.
In 1995, she was awarded the AGD Distinguished Service Award, which honors a council or committee member who has served the AGD in an outstanding manner by dedicating extensive time and energy to assure the continuity and integrity of the AGD, as well as by developing new programs and services to meet the membership's changing needs.
"As a member of the AGD for nearly 25 years, I have learned a great deal, made many friends and have been afforded the opportunity to work in various areas of the organization," said Dr. Jones. "However, one of my greatest achievements within this organization of esteemed general dentists came when the gavel of presidency was passed to me. My passion is to continue to help the AGD advance the practice of general dentistry and ensure that patients are provided with the best oral health care. I am eager to step into my new role."
Dr. Jones is a long-time member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, the Chicago Dental Society and the American Association of Women Dentists. She is a Fellow of the American College of Dentistry and the Academy of Dentistry International, and will be inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists in October of 2008.
Dr. Jones began her career in dentistry as a dental hygienist. She graduated from Case Western Reserve School of Dentistry in 1984. To stay up-to-date in dentistry, she earned the Fellowship Award from the AGD in 1995. To earn this award, Dr. Jones completed 500 hours of continuing dental education, passed a comprehensive written exam and fulfilled three years of continuing membership with the AGD.
Dr. Jones lives in Naperville, Ill., with her husband of 28 years, Matthew. Dr. Jones has two daughters, Heather and Meghan, and two grandchildren, James and Brynn.
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