The Academy of General Dentistry has installed Neil Gajjar, DDS, MAGD, of Mississaugua, Ontario as the organization’s new president. Dr. Gajjar is the second Canadian and the youngest AGD member elected to the seat of president. The newly installed president was sworn into his role during the AGD’s Annual Meeting in Chicago, Nov. 2- 4. During his one-year volunteer term as president, Dr. Gajjar’s vision for AGD aligns with the organization’s goal to advance the field of general dentistry and oral health through quality education and advocacy.
“AGD has a phenomenal CE program, but like many things, we can develop it more,” said Dr. Gajjar. “The organization’s greatest strength rests in our members. We have members who are dedicated to learning, refining their skills and delivering the best care possible to their patients. We have a membership that believes in the profession of general dentistry who will advocate for the industry, their colleagues and their patients.
During his tenure as AGD’s president, Dr. Gajjar intends to use his influence to encourage the organization to incorporate more advanced technological and automated platforms. Coming from a family of engineers, he understands how technology can greatly improve the operations and efficiency of AGD.
Dr. Gajjar, who is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, has fulfilled other leadership and constituency roles during his tenure as an AGD member. Prior to serving as president-elect, Dr. Gajjar served as the board vice president and secretary. He has also worked on several AGD committees and councils — AGD Membership, Dental Education, and Group Benefits and Annual Meeting councils. On the local level, Dr. Gajjar is the past president of the Ontario AGD, the South Asian Dental Association and a member of the Canadian Dental Association. He has served as the Canada East Regent for the Academy of General Dentist International. In addition, Dr. Gajjar was elected as Councilor and served on various committees with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
He received an undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Toronto. Dr. Gajjar went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Howard University in Washington, DC, being awarded the Teachers of Oral Diagnosis Award. Dr. Gajjar is a Fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International, American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, Pierre Fauchard Academy and holds a certification in intravenous sedation.
Dr. Gajjar has completed his American Dental Association’s National Board Dental Examination Part I and Part II, as well as the National Dental Examining Board of Canada exams. He is currently licensed with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
Dr. Gajjar is passionate about continuing education and has been a committed lecturer on managing medical emergencies in the dental office. In addition, he has formally served as a lecturer of oral pathology at the Canadian Academy of Dental Hygiene and as a clinical instructor in the Oral Diagnosis and Emergency Clinics at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry.
Dr. Gajjar lives in Mississauga, Ontario, with his wife and two children.
