Becoming Accredited or an Accredited Fellow in the AACD is an honor and can only be achieved by completing a rigorous credentialing process including a written examination, the submission of clinical cases for peer-reviewed examination, and an oral examination. The Accreditation process, which was developed by the AACD and is the world’s most recognized advanced credentialing program, encourages further education, interaction with like-minded colleagues, and the opportunity for professional growth. Accreditation requires dedication to continuing education and responsible patient care

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recently recognized 13 dental professionals who have demonstrated their dedication to continuing education and responsible patient care by becoming credentialed by the AACD. The AACD is proud to honor 10 newly Accredited Members and 3 new Accredited Fellows. 

AACD’s New Accredited Members:

"The time, commitment, and dedication that's required to complete the Accreditation process is unrivaled. The sense of achievement that comes with it is indeed life-changing."
-AACD Accreditation Chairman, Adamo Notarantonio, DDS, FAACD

Judemar S. Dimapilis, DMD, AAACD–La Mesa, CA - Dr. Dimapilis is a graduate of Centro Escolar University in the Philippines. He started as a Probationary Military Dentist at the Philippine Armed Forces of the Philippines. While waiting for active duty, he opened his own private practice and started teaching at the Perpetual College of Dentistry. He then migrated to San Diego, California, where he is currently practicing. He attended the Esthetic Continuum at UCLA, Seattle Institute for Advanced Dental Education, and is visiting faculty at Spear Education. Dr. Dimapilis continues to strive for excellence in cosmetic and functional dentistry. He has been a member of the AACD since 2012.

Adam A. Francois, DMD, AAACD–Sherwood, OR - Dr. Francois received his undergraduate degree in Biology with a concentration in Physiology and Anatomy from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Dr. Francois is a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, School of Dentistry. He worked as an associate for one year and then started a practice in Sherwood, Oregon, in 1996. He maintains membership in the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry (where he has attained Fellowship status), Oregon Dental Association, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and Washington County Dental Society, for which he is a past president. He has been a member of the AACD since 1998.

David Joel Hedgecoe, DDS, AAACD–Fayetteville, NC - Dr. Hedgecoe graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in 1998 and then completed a General Practice Residency at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, SC.  He received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University in 1993, where he played basketball and baseball, earning six varsity letters. Dr. Hedgecoe is currently in private practice in Fayetteville, NC, with his father, Dr. Joel Hedgecoe, and partner, Dr. Chessica Logue. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and the International College of Dentists. He is a past lecturer at the AAOMS Dental Implant Conference on the restorative aspects and team approach for full arch fixed implant supported prostheses. He is married to Claire Hedgecoe and the proud dad of 3 boys; Drew, Hunter, and Ryan.  His interests outside of dentistry include all sports with his boys and staying active. He has been a member of the AACD since 2009.

Eric Hull, DDS, AAACD–Comstock Park, MI - Dr. Hull received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University and his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Bethel University. Since returning to Michigan where he grew up, he has graduated from the Kois Center and has become a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. Currently, he maintains a private practice in west Michigan. The most important part of Dr. Hull’s life is his beautiful wife and two wonderful kids.  If he isn’t at the office, he can be found spending time with them.  He has been a member of the AACD since 2012.

Mohammad Khandaqji, DDS, AAACD–San Ramon, CA - Dr. Khandaqji has been an active member of dental organizations for the last 22 years. He completed his undergraduate at University of Baghdad. He practiced dentistry in his homeland of Palestine for two years, then moved to the U.S., where he continued his education to obtain his Doctor of Dental Surgery in California. In 2001, he began his private practice. He has sustained two highly modern cosmetic and implant restorative adapted practices. He has been an active member of the AACD since 2013.

"Accredited members have completed this task and have so much to be proud of, as they have reached a level of dentistry that is desired by many and achieved by few."
-AACD Accreditation Chairman, Adamo Notarantonio, DDS, FAACD
 

Danièle Larose, DMD, AAACD–St-Laurent, Quebec, Canada - Dr. Larose graduated from Montreal University in 1997. She practices in St-Laurent, Quebec, Canada. Her practice focuses on esthetic and orthodontic restoration and rehabilitation. She has studied at Pankey, Dawson, LVI, and has been teaching esthetic restorative hands-on courses since 2008. Dr. Larose has been on the faculty at the Center for Aesthetic Excellence and Invisalign, and is past president of the Galler orthodontic study club. Her educational articles have been featured in several dental publications. She has been a member of the AACD since 2012.

Michael Mayers, DMD, AAACD–White Plains, NY - Dr. Mayers practices cosmetic and general dentistry in White Plains, New York. He is the former Director of the General Practice Residency program at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, where he completed his General Practice Residency in 1993. Dr. Mayers received his DMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1992, and received his BA from Hamilton College. Dr. Mayers plays jazz and classical trumpet, is an avid telemark skier who loves to design and build furniture and guitars. He has been a member of the AACD since 2011.

Cappy Sinclair, DDS, AAACD–Virginia Beach, VA - Dr. Sinclair earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. He has a multi-location practice in Virginia Beach, Coastal Cosmetic + Implant Dentistry. Dr. Sinclair currently serves as a board member for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and is an ambassador for the Dawson Academy.  He was recently selected as one of the Top 40 under 40 business owners in Hampton Roads by Inside Business. He is supported in all endeavors by his wife Lauren and loves the joys of fatherhood with his son Ryder. He has been an AACD member since 2010.

Sarah K. Slone, DMD, AAACD–Lexington, KY - Dr. Sarah Slone is graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.  She practices in Lexington, Kentucky, where she focuses on comprehensive restorative dentistry, smile design, neuromodulators, and microscope dentistry.  Dr. Slone is a board member for the Continuing Education Committee for University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and is passionate about sharing and creating excellent learning opportunities with young dentists.  She is an active member with the Lexington Cancer Foundation. Her free time is filled making loving memories with her family and enjoying a love for travel, photography, and fashion design.  She has been a member of the AACD since 2013.

Rita Antonini Tempel, DDS, AAACD–Gettysburg, PA - Dr. Tempel received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Albright College. From 1993-1996, she served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Fort Meade, Maryland, and Fort Carson, Colorado.  Dr. Tempel has actively continued her education in cosmetic and comprehensive restorative dentistry and has also become a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. Tempel is married and a proud mother of two sons. Her interests outside the dental profession include traveling, cooking, fishing, as well as driving supercars. She has been a member of the AACD since 2004.

“…I quickly realized that my clinical skillset had a long way to go to reach the level of excellence that the AACD stands for. But as my journey went on, it became less about the status of Accreditation and more about how much I was learning and growing through the process – to the point where it was the icing on the cake when I finally attained Accreditation.”
- AACD Accredited Member, Courtney L. Lavigne, DMD, AAACD 

The AACD also welcomed three new Accredited Fellows to its ranks. The purpose of Fellowship is to provide the highest level of achievement for members in accordance with the AACD's mission of education and excellence.

AACD’s New Accredited Fellows:

Gesica T. Horn, DDS, FAACD, has been a member of the AACD since 2006 and achieved Accredited Member status in 2012. She finished her undergraduate work at the University of North Dakota and received her doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and. Dr. Horn is a graduate of the Kois Center, Dawson Academy Alumni, and a frequent attendee at Spear Education. Her passion for cosmetic dentistry started early in her career, and she aims to be the best she can be for her patients. Dr. Horn has a private practice outside of Minneapolis.

Gary R. Hubbard, DDS, FAACD, has been a member of the AACD since 2004 and achieved Accredited Member status in 2011. He completed his undergraduate at Michigan State University and attended the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, graduating as an OKU inductee in 1978. After completing a teaching appointment as a clinical instructor, he returned to Lansing to begin private practice.  He has maintained a cosmetic and complex restorative practice in East Lansing, Michigan, since then.

Amanda N. Seay, DDS, FAACD, has been a member of the AACD since 2002 and achieved Accredited Member status in 2014. She maintains a full-time private practice in Charleston, South Carolina, that focuses on comprehensive restorative dentistry. Seay also holds a clinical instructor position at the Kois Center in Seattle, Washington, and will be educating, once again, at the AACD’s Annual Scientific Session in Aurora, CO, in 2021.

For more information about AACD’s credentialing programs or to start your AACD Accreditation or Fellowship journey today, visit www.aacd.com/accreditationfellowship.