Blog · June 27, 2026
Coral Springs dentist earns Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry
Dr. Matthew Dillon of MSD Dental Studio received the MAGD — a distinction held by fewer than 2% of general dentists — at the AGD Convocation on June 27, 2026.
CORAL SPRINGS, FL — Dr. Matthew Dillon, co-owner of MSD Dental Studio, has been awarded Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD), one of the most rigorous distinctions in general dentistry. Fewer than about 2 percent of general dentists ever earn it.
The Mastership requires more than 1,100 hours of continuing education beyond dental school — including 400 hours of hands-on training — across every discipline of dentistry, from restorative and surgical care to implants and orthodontics. Dr. Dillon received the award at the AGD's national Convocation ceremony on June 27, 2026, completing the requirements over six years of coursework, hands-on training, and examination.
"It took six years, and there were breakthrough moments the whole way through. If we're being honest, you come out of dental school competent — but not confident. And anyone who says they were confident straight out of school? That confidence was misplaced. Real confidence comes from experience and repetition. That's what those years and those hours were: repetition, until the confidence was earned."— Dr. Matthew Dillon, DDS, MAGD, FICOI
Dr. Dillon owns and operates MSD Dental Studio with his wife, Dr. Shantall Di Loreto. The doctor-owned practice is known for its design-first approach to dentistry — the doctors plan each case personally and work face to face with the lab artisans who craft their patients' restorations, finishing everyday restorations in the studio itself.
"I may be biased, but his commitment level is rare. I'm excited for the future of this practice, because we have such a great example of the pursuit of excellence."— Dr. Shantall Di Loreto, DDS
MSD Dental Studio serves Coral Springs and surrounding communities in English and Spanish.
What the Mastership actually involves
The path to Mastership runs through the AGD's Fellowship first: 500 hours of continuing education and a comprehensive written exam covering every discipline of dentistry. Mastership adds 600 more hours on top of that — at least 400 of them hands-on, participation-based training rather than lecture seats — distributed across disciplines including restorative dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, implantology, and occlusion. In practical terms, it certifies breadth: a general dentist who has trained seriously in each area of the mouth rather than one.
What it means for patients
Many patients assume a dentist is a dentist. In reality, the Florida Board of Dentistry requires just 30 hours of continuing education every two years to keep a license — and some dentists never go far beyond that minimum. The difference between 30 hours and 1,100 isn't a formality; it reflects a different relationship with the profession. Our honest advice, whether you choose us or anyone else: find a dentist who continues to train, year after year, and pushes themselves to master the best techniques available today.
Breadth changes how a dental visit works. A comprehensively trained general dentist can diagnose across specialties in one chair — recognizing when a "simple filling" is actually a bite problem, or when the right treatment is no treatment at all — and can complete more care in-house while knowing precisely when a case is better served by a specialist. The credential also signals currency: because those 1,100+ hours are earned through ongoing continuing education, a Master-level dentist has trained in the most modern techniques, materials, and technology — not simply accumulated years behind a handpiece. At MSD Dental Studio, that training feeds a design-first philosophy: the doctors plan each case personally, show patients their own imaging and photographs on screen, and work face to face with the lab artisans who craft their restorations.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is a MAGD?
MAGD stands for Master of the Academy of General Dentistry — the AGD's highest honor for general dentists, requiring more than 1,100 hours of post-doctoral continuing education, including 400+ hands-on hours, plus a comprehensive examination.
How many dentists hold the MAGD?
Fewer than about 2 percent of general dentists ever earn Mastership.
Does a MAGD dentist still refer to specialists?
Yes — comprehensive training makes referrals better targeted, not unnecessary. Patients at MSD Dental Studio are referred whenever a specialist would serve their case best; the credential means more of that judgment, not less.
About MSD Dental Studio — MSD Dental Studio is a doctor-owned dental practice at 1240 N University Drive, Coral Springs, FL, founded and operated by Dr. Matthew Dillon, DDS, MAGD, FICOI, and Dr. Shantall Di Loreto. The practice provides comprehensive general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry with sedation options, in English and Spanish. Meet the doctors or learn about the practice.
Care from doctors who never stop training.
Experience the difference comprehensive, design-first dentistry makes.
Book a visit Or call or text 754-240-4820