The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recently recognized nine dental professionals who have demonstrated their dedication to continuing education and responsible patient care by becoming credentialed by the AACD. This year, the AACD will honor eight newly Accredited Members and one new Accredited Fellow Member during the 40th Annual AACD Scientific Session in National Harbor, MD.

AACD Accreditation 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 newly Accredited Fellow Member is:

Salvatore Lotardo, DDS, FAACD

Dr. Lotardo is a past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. After obtaining his degree at The Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine he founded Bella Smiles of Long Island, a multi-location group practice focused on comprehensive cosmetic and implant dentistry. He is the current Accreditation chair of the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry, has published multiple articles, and lectures internationally on smile design, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative-driven orthodontics. 

The newly Accredited Members include:

Richard I. Coates, BDS, AAACD

Richard Ian Coates is from Newcastle in the North of England. He is President of the Northeast Private Dentists and has been a member of the AACD for 14 years. He was a member of the European Society of Cosmetic Dentists for many years before that. He is one of only 19 dentists in the UK to be Accredited with the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry where he sits on the credentialing committee and has been a winner multiple times at the UK Aesthetic Dentistry Awards. He teaches hands-on composite courses internationally sharing the expertise he has learned over the years with clinicians striving for perfection.

Errin DePalma, DDS, AAACD 

Errin DePalma graduated from the University of Maryland Dental school in 2002 where she met her husband. She opened her own dental practice in 2005 in the resort town of Ocean City Maryland. Through the encouragement of a friend, Dr. DePalma joined the AACD in 2017 and instantly knew becoming Accredited was a goal she wanted to pursue. She strives to do the best treatment for her patients and loves taking various types of continuing education classes. Dr. DePalma is a Kois Center graduate and Mentor. She keeps busy with her two high school aged kids and their activities.  

Nazila Doroodian, DMD, AAACD

Nazila Doroodian earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1996. Further, she completed the advanced post-graduate residency program at UCSF School of Dentistry. She has been a member of AACD since 2004. Dr. Doroodian is accredited by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. She has been practicing in Atherton California since 1999.

Paul Mundl, DDS, AAACD

Paul Mundl graduated from the New York University College of Dentistry.  He continued his education by completing a one-year AEGD residency at the University of Southern California.    He practices full time at his private dental office in Temecula, CA, with a passion for cosmetic and advanced restorative dental care. Dr. Mundl, his lovely wife, and three sons live in San Clemente, CA, where they enjoy the outside lifestyle of surfing, swimming, and pickleball.

Raymond W. Ribitch, Jr., DDS, AAACD

Raymond Ribitch owns and operates a private practice focused on comprehensive and esthetic dentistry. While not practicing dentistry, Ray enjoys many hobbies. His "bucket list" includes attending culinary school and playing competitive golf. Dr. Ribitch resides in Mount Pleasant, Michigan with his wife, Kristy. Together they share three children, Andrew, Matthew, and Marie.

Pavlo Ryabokon, MDC, AAACD

Pavlo Ryabokon was born in the USSR and raised in Ukraine. As a child, he was a student at Kiev State Ballet School. From 1997 to 2004 he worked for the National Ukrainian Dance Company named after P.P. Virsky as a principal dancer. In 2001, he earned a master’s degree in choreography. In 2004, Pavlo immigrated to the United States, where he traded his dancing shoes to study dental technology. He started his dental education at Los Angeles City College and graduated in 2011 with a degree in dental technology. In 2013, he completed the UCLA’s Master Ceramist program directed by Dr. Ed McLaren. After graduation, he worked in a Beverly Hills lab for about a year, and in 2014 joined CMR Dental Lab to work for Matthew and Michael Roberts, where he currently resides.

Megan A. Shelton, DMD, AAACD

Megan Shelton is a restorative and cosmetic dentist in Southern California. Dr. Shelton attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. She passionately treats complex restorative cases to positively impact her patients’ lives. She is known as a leader in the industry for her implementation of digital dentistry, restorative materials, and continuing education into her private practice. She founded a consulting firm, Shelton Solutions, to coach other dentists to become confident practice owners. 

Marek Vlna, MD, AAACD

Marek Vlna, MD, is a human, husband, father, friend, dentist, and amateur Ironman triathlete. He earned his dentistry degree at Palacky University Olomouc in the Czech Republic in 2011. In 2015, he became a certified member of the Czech Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (CADE), followed by becoming a Dawson Academy scholar in 2016. Early in his dental career, he encountered a patient experiencing discomfort after prosthodontics treatment. Unable to help using traditional methods, Dr. Vlna delved into temporomandibular disease, physiotherapy, and orofacial pain. This journey allowed him to address orofacial pain, constituting a significant part of their clinics’ work. With plans to complete his M.S.C. in orofacial pain at the University of Sienna, Italy, in March 2024, and working as an external Ph.D. student at Palacky University, Czech Republic, his humble pursuit is to contribute to the beauty and health of those entrusted in his care.