What is an Accredited Cosmetic Dentist?
One of the reasons that the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry was established in the mid-1980s was to create an accreditation program, a way that patients could identify dentists who are qualified in cosmetic dentistry.
Dentists are generally attracted to the profession because they like to fix things. There is an engineering mentality to the profession. This is good, because it’s important that all dental work meet certain functional standards. The problem is that often people with this engineering mindset aren’t artistically inclined.
Another problem for the public is that cosmetic dentistry isn’t legally recognized as a separate specialty. Any dentist who has graduated from dental school can, without any artistic training, announce himself or herself as a cosmetic dentist. Doing cosmetic dentistry well, however, requires not only an artistic eye but extensive post-graduate education. So how does the public tell who’s good and who’s not? The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry decided to fill that void with its accreditation program.
Becoming accredited in cosmetic dentistry requires attending a number of courses where the science and artistry of cosmetic dentistry is taught. Then the applicant needs to take a series of examinations—a written exam, a clinical exam, and an oral exam. These are rigorous examinations, which is why fewer than one dentist in 500 achieves this credential. But the public can be assured that an accredited cosmetic dentist knows how to do beautiful and durable work.
Dr. Arnold became accredited in 2003. The examiners who evaluated his work were so impressed with that work that they invited him to join them as an accreditation examiner, a position he continues to hold. He went on to become an Accredited Fellow of the AACD in 2006, which is the highest credential awarded in cosmetic dentistry, and then became the chairman of the accreditation program in 2008.
He has received other recognitions and awards. Here he is pictured with the Evy award he received in 2012 for outstanding service to the AACD. You can rest assured that when you are in Dr. Arnold’s hands, you are receiving truly world-class dentistry.