For Bradley J. Olson, DDS, FAACD, FAGD, dentistry did not begin as a carefully curated path toward leadership. It began as hard work, long hours, and a growing sense that something was missing.

After dental school, Dr. Olson joined a general practice where he treated patients of all ages and performed nearly every procedure in-house. When his partner was forced to retire due to disability, Dr. Olson suddenly found himself carrying the weight of the entire practice alone. Determined to keep it afloat, he worked six days a week, often with evenings and weekends consumed by patient care.

“Dentistry became a grind,” Olson recalled. “I was keeping the practice alive, but I wasn’t enjoying it. I wasn’t happy.”

A Turning Point Toward Comprehensive Care

That burnout became the catalyst for transformation. A continuing education course at the Dawson Center, Put Your Practice in the Top 10%, sparked a shift in how Dr. Olson approached dentistry. Instead of treating one tooth at a time, he began focusing on comprehensive, patient-centered care.

The change was not easy. It required retraining staff, referring more cases to specialists, and trusting that collaboration, not control, would strengthen his practice. That trust paid off. Working closely with respected specialists led to strong counter-referrals and, more importantly, a renewed sense of professional fulfillment.

“I realized it was time to do the dentistry I loved,” he said. “To be comprehensive, thoughtful, and intentional.”

Discovering the AACD

Olson’s introduction to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry came through a familiar and powerful channel: peer invitation. A close friend from dental school, Brian LeSage, DDS, FAACD, encouraged him to attend an AACD meeting after becoming Accredited himself.

“I had no idea what Accreditation even was,” Olson admitted. “But Brian knew me. He knew my goals, my values, and my skill set. He said, ‘You need to do this.’”

That invitation proved pivotal.

The Value of Accreditation and the Journey Behind It

While AACD Accreditation is widely recognized as a prestigious professional milestone, Dr. Olson emphasizes that the true value lies in the journey itself.

“Yes, standing on stage and receiving that medal is meaningful,” he said. “But the real reward is everything it takes to get there.”

Pursuing Accreditation requires mastery across disciplines, from photography and treatment planning, to smile design, material science, and laboratory communication. The process pushes clinicians to grow in ways that extend far beyond technical skill.

“It’s one of the strongest continuing education experiences you can have in your entire career,” 

Equally important is the mentorship woven throughout the process. Feedback, revision, and persistence are not only encouraged; they are essential.

“I didn’t fail cases . . . I failed them with my mentor over and over again until I finally understood what I wasn’t seeing.”

A Community That Elevates Everyone

While education and credentials matter, Dr. Olson believes the heart of the Academy lies in its people.

“The relationships are everything,” he said. “Being able to pick up the phone and call someone you respect, someone who’s willing to help you through a challenge, that’s invaluable.”

From early lectures that opened his eyes to entirely new possibilities, to informal conversations poolside with leaders who treated him like a colleague from day one, Olson found a community defined by generosity, curiosity, and shared ambition.

“The AACD is filled with people who don’t want to be just a little better,” he said. “They want to be exceptional.”

Engagement Is the Difference

For dentists considering AACD membership or Accreditation, Dr. Olson offers a clear message: engagement matters.

“You get out of this community what you put into it. Attend the lectures, ask questions, connect with people, participate. That’s where the real value is.”

Hands-on education, interactive workshops, and in-person learning environments create opportunities that simply cannot be replicated through passive, online-only CE.

“You have to get out of your house,” Olson added. “You have to be present, engaged, and surrounded by people who challenge you to grow.”

Looking Ahead

Now serving as Interim Executive Director, Olson’s passion for the Academy is rooted in lived experience as a clinician, a mentor, and a lifelong learner. His journey reflects what the AACD strives to offer every member: purpose, excellence, and a community that makes the profession better for everyone involved.

For those standing on the fence, Dr. Olson’s advice is simple: lean in.

“When you surround yourself with people who want to be the best,” he said, “it changes everything.”