AAFP celebrates leadership, learning at 2026 Annual Meeting. July 27, 2026 The Alabama Academy of Family Physicians successfully concluded its 2026 Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium on June 28 at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, bringing together family medicine physicians, residents, and allied health professionals for four days of education, collaboration, and fellowship. Held June 25-28, the meeting delivered 14 hours of CME-accredited education across a robust schedule of sessions addressing critical topics in family medicine. Physicians participated in sessions ranging from thyroid and obesity management to controlled substances prescribing, USPSTF guidelines, heart failure care, urology updates, and adult ADHD management. Topics reflecting the evolving landscape of family medicine - including GLP-1 medications, menopause hormone therapy, and artificial intelligence in practice - ensured attendees gained current, clinically applicable knowledge. Beyond the classroom, the meeting fostered the collegial spirit that defines the Academy. The Thursday evening Get Acquainted Party provided an informal setting for physicians to reconnect and build relationships. The exhibit hall became a hub for strolling lunches and vendor interactions, creating natural opportunities for professional exchange and fellowship. Throughout the symposium, colleagues discussed best practices, shared clinical insights, and strengthened the bonds that unite Alabama's family medicine community. The Academy is proud to welcome Dr. Amy Clark, MD as its incoming president. A Family Medicine physician at Hometown Family Care in Athens, Alabama, Dr. Clark brings dedicated expertise in family medicine and a commitment to advancing the specialty. A 2011 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Dr. Clark is board certified in Family Practice and continues to set an example of clinical excellence and professional leadership. Married with two children, Dr. Clark represents the integrated approach that defines modern family medicine - balancing thriving clinical practice with meaningful engagement in the profession. The meeting reaffirmed the Academy's commitment to medical education at all levels. Residents and students attended dedicated sessions alongside practicing physicians, creating a continuum of learning that prepares the next generation of family medicine leaders. As the Academy moves forward under Dr. Clark's leadership, the 2026 Annual Meeting demonstrated the enduring value of bringing the family medicine community together - to learn, to connect, and to advance the specialty in Alabama.

Survey finds most Americans unaware of oral-systemic link. A new national survey reveals a significant gap between how much Americans value their oral health and how much they understand the connection between their mouth and their body. The survey, conducted in partnership by Procter & Gamble (P&G) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), found that while the vast majority of Americans say they care about oral health, almost none associate it with their overall physical well-being - a disconnect that dental practices are uniquely positioned to address. This post is part of its Dental Bytes eNewsletter 2026 hub, where you can access each monthly issue. What the survey found. The survey polled 2,052 American adults between April 3 and April 14, 2026. Key findings include: * 76% of Americans say they are personally motivated to take care of their oral health. * Yet only 3% of respondents associate oral health with whole-body health - despite the well-documented connections between oral health and systemic conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia. * 44% of Americans reported they had never heard of any connection between oral health and cardiovascular disease. * 80% of survey respondents said that understanding the oral-systemic connection would make taking care of their oral health feel more important. The survey was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of P&G and the AAFP as part of a broader public education initiative on preventive oral health care. Why this matters for dental practices. These findings represent both a challenge and an opportunity for dental teams. The challenge is clear: most patients don't understand why their oral health matters beyond avoiding cavities and bad breath. The opportunity is equally significant: when patients learn about the oral-systemic connection, 80% say it makes them more motivated to prioritize their oral care. Dental practices are the natural setting for this education. Patients who visit the dentist regularly trust their dental team for oral health guidance. With a few well-placed talking points during hygiene appointments, dental teams can help close this knowledge gap and strengthen patients' commitment to preventive care. The research on oral-systemic connections is robust. Poor oral health - particularly untreated periodontal disease - has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, poorly controlled diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and other systemic conditions. Dental professionals have an important role in helping patients understand these links as part of a whole-health approach to care. Oral-Systemic talking points for your dental team. Consider incorporating these evidence-based messages into patient communications and hygiene appointments: * Research has found associations between periodontal (gum) disease and cardiovascular disease. Keeping gums healthy is part of caring for your heart. * Diabetes and gum disease have a two-way relationship: poorly controlled blood sugar can worsen gum disease, and gum disease can make it harder to control blood sugar. * Regular dental visits and consistent home oral hygiene routines are a form of preventive healthcare - not just cosmetic maintenance. * If patients have medical conditions like heart disease or diabetes, their dental care is relevant to their overall treatment team. Brief, clear patient-facing language like this can shift how patients think about their oral health - and research shows they want this information. Quick summary. * A 2026 P&G/AAFP survey of 2,052 Americans found only 3% associate oral health with whole-body health. * 44% had never heard of any oral-cardiovascular connection; 80% said learning about it would increase their motivation to care for their teeth and gums. * Dental teams are well-positioned to educate patients about the oral-systemic connection during hygiene visits. * Brief, clear language about gum disease and systemic conditions can meaningfully increase patient motivation for preventive care. Related OSHA Review resources. About OSHA Review, Inc. Since 1992, OSHA Review, Inc. has supported dental professionals with regulatory compliance resources, infection control guidance, continuing education, sterilizer monitoring, surface disinfectant products, and dosimetry monitoring services. For more information, visit oshareview.com or call 800-555-6248. This post is part of the Dental Bytes eNewsletter 2026 series. Visit the hub to access all monthly updates. Morgan Lawson is the Chief Operations Officer and Managing Editor at OSHA Review, Inc., where he has led dental compliance education and operations since 1999. With over 25 years of experience in OSHA regulations, infection control standards, and dental practice compliance, Morgan oversees the development of content, training programs, and compliance resources trusted by dental practices nationwide. Many dental news outlets are reporting a significant cyberattack against 1-800-Dentist, a popular dental referral... The American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute (HPI) has introduced a new publication series called... July 28 is World Hepatitis Day, an annual global observance established by the World Health...

What Family Physicians Should Know About Disability Insurance. The newest AAFP Insurance podcast, "Coverage and Care: What Family Physicians Should Know About Disability Insurance," is now live. Recorded at the 2026 FMX conference, AAFP Insurance President, Jered Hunt and Disability Insurance Manager, Eric Mulbach, share an engaging discussion on why disability insurance is a critical component of a family physician's financial plan. In this episode, they explore how the right coverage can help protect physicians' income and provide peace of mind, offering practical insights for doctors at every stage of their careers. Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset: Why Disability Insurance Matters for Family Physicians Family physicians dedicate years of training and significant financial resources to build their careers. While much attention is placed on saving and investing for the future, one of the most important components of a financial strategy is protecting the ability to earn an income. Jered and Eric discuss why disability insurance should be an essential part of every physician's financial plan and how physicians can evaluate the coverage they currently have. Your Future Earning Potential Is Your Greatest Asset Early in a physician's career, the most valuable financial asset isn't a retirement account or investment portfolio, it's the ability to earn income over decades of medical practice. Disability insurance is designed to help protect that earning potential if a physician becomes unable to work due to illness or injury. By replacing a portion of lost income, disability coverage can help physicians continue to meet financial obligations such as student loan payments, housing costs, and everyday living expenses. Because disability insurance requires medical underwriting, securing coverage earlier in a career can also help physicians lock in eligibility while they are still healthy. Start by Evaluating Your Employer Coverage Many physicians receive disability insurance through their employer or health system. While this can provide a helpful starting point, employer-sponsored plans often come with limitations. Some of the common considerations physicians should review include: * * Monthly benefit caps that may limit how much income is replaced * * Offsets that reduce benefits based on other sources of income * * Tax implications if the employer pays the premium * * Portability issues if coverage cannot follow the physician when changing jobs * * Definitions of disability, including limitations on "own-occupation" coverage Because of these factors, many physicians choose to supplement employer coverage with an individual policy. The Role of Individually Owned Disability Policies Individually owned disability insurance can provide additional flexibility and control over coverage. Unlike many employer-sponsored plans, personally owned policies can often remain in place even if a physician changes employers, moves into private practice, or shifts career paths. These policies may also allow physicians to tailor benefit amounts and policy features to better align with their income and financial goals. For physicians with specialized skills, protecting the ability to practice within their specific field can be an important part of evaluating coverage options. Choosing the Right Coverage and Professional Guidance Selecting disability insurance is not a one-size-fits-all process. Physicians should consider factors such as income level, career stage, existing benefits, and long-term financial goals. Working with a knowledgeable advisor who understands physician-specific coverage options can help ensure policies are structured appropriately and that physicians fully understand the benefits and limitations of their coverage. Planning for Every Stage of Your Career The disability insurance needs of physicians can evolve throughout their careers. Residents, early-career physicians, and experienced physicians may all face different financial responsibilities and coverage considerations. By reviewing coverage regularly and adjusting as their careers progress, family physicians can help ensure their financial plans continue to provide the protection they need. Ultimately, disability insurance plays an important role in helping physicians safeguard the income they've worked so hard to earn and maintain financial stability throughout their careers. For more information listen to the podcast or schedule a consultation for a personal conversation. SMRU# 8829038