AACD
Accreditation Process
START THE JOURNEYLevel up and reinvigorate your dental career by stepping through the AACD Accreditation process.
You’ll improve your esthetic eye & skill set, you’ll be better prepared to tackle complex cases with newfound confidence, you’ll lift your dental team up with you, and you’ll gain additional earning potential. Because you have what it takes to become a world class cosmetic dentist or technician!
You'll hear AACD Accredited dental professionals say it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. But what do they really mean? What is Accreditation REALLY about?
It's about limitless professional growth and earning potential.
It's about pushing yourself to be your best, always.
It's about developing relationships with your mentor and your like-minded and driven dental community. At the end of the day, the AACD Accreditation process is about confidence, gaining confidence in yourself and in your clinical skills, and inspiring confidence in your patient
Achieve The Globally
Recognized Advanced
Credential in Esthetic Dentistry
Steps to Take
Your Dentistry From
Good to Great.
It's not about the goal;
it's about the journey and the person you will become once you achieve it.
1. WRITTEN EXAMINATION
- Apply for and take the written examination at the Annual AACD Scientific Session or at a Meazure Testing Center.
- After passing, the five-year time period begins
- Attend the two required workshops at an Annual ACCD Scientific Session OR watch them online* on CEntral.
- Written examination and two required courses must be successfully completed prior to submitting clinical cases, but do not need to be completed in any particular order.
* Viewing these two required courses online does count for attendance credit. If you watch the courses online, please email your certificates of completion to credentialing@aacd.com so that your membership records can be updated.
Written Examination Application
Written Exam 101
Study Materials
Sample Examinations (Online Only)
Subject Breakdown
2. SUBMISSION OF CLINICAL CASES
After all clinical cases have passed, candidate receives invitation to oral examination.
Clinical case submission deadline dates are June 1 and November 1 of each year. All cases must be submitted by 5:00 pm central time on any given deadline date. If cases are completed after 5:00 pm central time on deadline day, they will be held until the following submission deadline.
3. ORAL EXAMINATION
The Accreditation Oral Examination is an opportunity for the dentist/ lab technician to verify and authenticate passed casework and treatment planning abilities. The candidate may be asked questions about case selection, diagnosis and treatment planning, or materials and techniques on any of their passed clinical case submissions. Knowledge should clearly demonstrate a familiarity and understanding of these cases. The candidate will also be presented with information regarding a pre-selected case. Adequate time will be allowed for the individual to formulate a treatment plan, which will then be shared and discussed. Additional questions may be asked that cover related topics considered relevant by the examiners. The oral examination is approximately two hours in length.
Oral Examination Grading: Pass/Fail
Pass: With the successful completion of the oral examination, a dentist/lab technician becomes Accredited. Fail: A dentist/lab technician may retake the oral examination one time immediately following the expiration of their five-year time period and must successfully pass the next time the oral examination is administered. A second failure at the oral examination terminates the Accreditation process. Submission of a new written examination application is required to begin the Accreditation process again.
4. BECOME ACCREDITED!
Receive your award at next Annual AACD Scientific Session.
Looking for a Mentor to Help You Through the Process?
Check out the AACD Dental DOJO Advanced Study Club
The Voluntary Mentoring Network is available to Members in the Process.