The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) has named Joseph A. Battaglia, DMD, of Wayne, New Jersey, the recipient of its 2019 Distinguished Service Award for his leadership and contributions to advocacy and education. Battaglia received the award during the AGD’s annual meeting earlier this November in Chicago. He was chosen from AGD’s 40,000 members for his exceptional commitment to the profession, the organization reports.
“Dr. Battaglia has a deep understanding of the many external factors that impact the practice of dentistry. He is committed to amplifying the voice of general dentists to shape the future and ensure that AGD remains at the forefront,” said AGD president Connie L. White, DDS. “AGD is fortunate to benefit from his expertise and experience.”
Among his long list of leadership roles, the AGD said, Battaglia has been an educator at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in Newark, New Jersey, for more than 30 years. Also, the AGD said, his current volunteer positions reflect his wide range of expertise and the esteem with which he is regarded throughout dentistry. Currently, he is serving as:
- Chair of the AGD Dental Practice Council
- Chair of the American Association of Dental Board’s East Caucus
- Member of the American Dental Association Workgroup on Eldercare
- Representative delegate to the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments House of Delegates of the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry
Also, Battaglia served as president of the New Jersey AGD in 2002 and 2003 and as a commissioner on the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards.
“I am humbled to receive this honor. It’s like a baton that is shared with others who are excellent stewards of the profession. I hope that the work of myself and my predecessors inspires others to reach for this honor,” said Battaglia. “My goal has been to make the profession a little better than it was when I found it so that those who come after me can enjoy lifelong learning and deliver good patient care.”
Currently, Battaglia is an associate clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. He is responsible for the clinical and preclinical instruction of sophomore, junior, and senior dental students.
Battaglia holds a master of science degree in biochemistry from the Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry and a DDM degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He is an alumni member of Omnicron Kappa Upsilon as well. He has earned fellowships from the AGD, the Academy of Dentistry International, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists.
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