August 31, 2021

Dear Delegates,

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) looks forward to welcoming you to the AGD Annual Meeting, November 19-21 in Chicago at McCormick Place and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. We are writing to you today with information designed to protect your health and safety as well as that of all delegates, alternate delegates, AGD leaders, staff and guests who will be attending the meeting. At this time, we are planning for an in-person/live meeting without a virtual component. Meeting and hotel registration information will be shared closer to the meeting date.

All attendees to the AGD Annual Meeting will be required to show either proof of full COVID-19 vaccination as of 20 or more days prior to arrival OR proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Onsite testing will be available to those unable to comply with these options. Any associated costs will be at the expense of the attendee.

With the evolving nature of the pandemic, we are following the guidance provided by public health agencies and other organizations for conducting large conferences and gatherings. We believe this will help protect all attendees, reduce the spread of COVID-19 and allow the organization to conduct the important business of the House of Delegates. 

AGD is providing this information now so that you can prepare for how you will comply with this requirement. Details will be shared in the coming weeks on how to submit proof of vaccination or verify a negative COVID-19 test. We are working with an outside agency that will compile and verify all information through a secure portal. 

We are following the public health requirements outlined by the City of Chicago and McCormick Place, and will be utilizing additional safety standards during the meeting, including:

• Masks: Currently, Chicago is mandating masks for all indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. AGD will comply with this mandate and require all attendees to wear a mask during all meeting events. Masks will be available onsite.
• Distancing: The meeting setup will include safe distancing between seating.
• Health checks: A service will be onsite to perform health checks or assess symptoms.
• Enhanced cleaning protocols: Medical-grade sanitation of the meeting spaces between sessions and overnight, including high-touch traffic areas, will be utilized for the duration of the meeting.
• Contact tracing: AGD will utilize a service to provide contact tracing and access to on-call nurses up to two weeks after the meeting if anyone experiences symptoms of or tests positive for COVID-19 post-event. 

Our commitment is to you and others who volunteer to serve the organization. We are taking these steps to ensure the health and safety of all attendees. We will continue to monitor the guidance provided by public health agencies and the City of Chicago and communicate any updates or changes to these plans.

We appreciate your assistance. 

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, MAGD, AGD President,

Abe Dyzenhaus, DDS, FAGD, AGD Secretary

October 13, 2021

The following message is from AGD President Dr. Bruce Cassis and AGD Secretary Dr. Abe Dyzenhaus:

Dear Delegates,

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) looks forward to welcoming you to the AGD Annual Meeting, November 19-21 in Chicago at McCormick Place and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.

Below is more information regarding the health and safety attendance requirements for this meeting. Please remember, all attendees to the AGD Annual Meeting will be required to show either proof of full COVID-19 vaccination as of 20 or more days prior to arrival in Chicago OR proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Chicago.

If you choose to show proof of being fully vaccinated:

• You will receive an email from TN Event Health 72 hours before the meeting with a link to a secure website.
• Please upload a photo of your vaccination card. This will only be used to confirm you are fully vaccinated (i.e. completed vaccination occurred 20 or more days prior to arrival in Chicago.) 

You are considered fully vaccinated if you have: 

• Both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
• One dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Your card must show the following to be accepted:

1. First AND Last Name
2. Date of birth
3. Required dosage
4. Lot number
5. Facility Name
6. Date of Vaccine

**Attendees who reside in a city or state that has a mobile application to track vaccination cards, a screenshot of that card will be acceptable to upload to the secure website. 

If you choose to show proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test:

• You will receive an email from TN Event Health 72 hours before the meeting with a link to a secure website.
• Please upload a photo of your negative PCR COVID-19 test results. This will only be used to confirm negative PCR COVID-19 status. It must be a lab-administered PCR test within 72 hours of arrival in Chicago. 

Your test results must show the following to be accepted:

1. Name 
2. Date of birth 
3. Negative Status
4. Date and time specimen collected 
5. Healthcare provider location and signature

At the meeting: 

• Each day of the meeting, delegates and guests will be greeted by the TN Event Health team. 
• A TN Event Health registered nurse will take attendees' temperatures.  
• Each attendee will complete a daily health screening survey.
• TN Event Health will verify that attendees have uploaded the appropriate documentation and provide each attendee with a sticker. Each day will be a different color sticker. 

As a reminder, please register for the meeting and book your housing. The AGD housing block at the Hyatt Regency McCormick will close October 28, 2021. 

Finally, a full Code of Behavior is now live and details what AGD will be expecting of attendees and what AGD is committed to doing for all Annual Meeting attendees and guests to keep everyone healthy. 

We look forward to seeing you in November.