The Academy of General Dentistry's ongoing charge for quality dental education.

The core competency statement of the Academy of General Dentistry is "Quality of care through lifelong learning". This article traces the history of the Academy from its founding in 1952 through the development of its programs in Fellowships and Masterships, the Fellowship Exam, the American Board of General Dentistry, the National Sponsor Approval Program, and its recent efforts to reaffirm and sharpen its mission.