There are a handful of organizations dedicated to advancing cosmetic dentistry and recognizing dentists who meet their lofty standards. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), was founded in 1984 by Dr. Jack Kammer and Dr. Jeff Morley. What started out as a small group of dedicated individuals, has blossomed into the world’s largest and foremost organization for cosmetic dentists and cosmetic dental professionals.

Today, there are more than 6,000 members including cosmetic dentists, laboratory technicians, educators, and researchers from around the world.

The AACD Cosmetic Dentist
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry offers education and training on the latest techniques, procedures, and advancements in cosmetic dentistry. In addition, the AACD has an accreditation program for cosmetic dentists who are dedicated to going the extra mile.

There are many steps in the accreditation process. Candidates begin by passing a written examination. Next, they must submit a series of clinical cases that demonstrate their ability to treat a wide range of situations and complexities. Finally, accreditation is achieved by passing an oral examination. This process takes years to complete – but an AACD Accredited Cosmetic Dentist is special, there are fewer than 325 Accredited members worldwide.

Dr. Scott Finlay Annapolis Cosmetic Dentist
Annapolis cosmetic dentist, Dr. Scott Finlay has achieved the highest achievement in the AACD by becoming an Accredited Fellow. In addition to his rigorous accreditation process, Dr. Finlay has met the AACD’s high standards for an extended body of work representing excellence as judged by a jury of his peers.

This incredible number of cases demonstrates the level of expertise Dr. Finlay has treating complex cosmetic dentistry cases.  There are fewer than 50 dentists nationwide that have achieved this level of excellence and recognition by the dental profession.

More than that, Dr. Finlay is an active member of the AACD and holds a position on the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry, where he is responsible for testing, analyzing, and evaluating the services of dentist and laboratory technicians for the purpose of AACD Accreditation in cosmetic dentistry.

He contributes regularly to AACD publications as well as other cosmetic dentistry journals. He has recently finished revisions to the AACD’s Criteria Guide: Contemporary Concepts in Smile Design, which will be released in mid to late 2012. This guide, which saw its last update in 2001 will set the new, universally accepted parameters for smile design.

Dr. Finlay is committed to continuing education and is a senior faculty for the Dawson Academy which is a leading post graduate center for advanced dental training.  He presents programs to dentists from California to Florida, to Virginia and Chicago – even in the United Kingdom – on topics related to cosmetic dentistry, often in a hands on format.

Expert Care
Cosmetic dentistry is more than just creating pretty smiles. A cosmetic dentist should be a highly trained and skilled professional who strives to treat not just the cosmetic concerns, but the underlying functional problems that cause wear and damage in the first place.

According to Dr. Finlay, “Dental Aesthetics are only a mirror of the relative health of the smile. If something doesn’t look quite right, there is usually a biological or functional reason why the deterioration exists.”

A cosmetic dentist should also take into consideration the patient as a whole to create a smile that will look natural, fit comfortably in their mouth, and be best suited for their lifestyle.

Don’t trust your smile to any cosmetic dentist. Contact Annapolis cosmetic dentist, Dr. Scott Finlay for a consultation and learn more about improving your life and smile with cosmetic dentistry.

 In the simplest sense, the hope would be that every dentist would be a cosmetic dentist.  After all, the ultimate goal in dentistry is to make teeth look and function like teeth.  The reality is however, that some dentists have had more training than others focusing on those criteria related to the health, function and appearance of the smile.  As with all professions, the journey to become proficient in one’s field requires a lifetime of learning.  In dentistry this learning continues from the day the dentist begins his or her practice until the day they retire.  Materials, procedures and knowledge evolve everyday, and it is the responsibility of the dentist as an advocate for the dental health of their patient’s to separate the hype from reality and seek those advances that will improve the predictability, durability and the absolute best esthetics possible. 

 The United States is undisputedly the leader in dental esthetics.  Dentists have the opportunity from all over the world to seek post-graduate education related to esthetics at centers that offer lecture and hands-on programs from coast to coast.  Those blue chip, founding continuing education centers that focus on a comprehensive vision of esthetics/function without the influence of hype and marketing include the Dawson Academy, the Kois Center, the Pankey Institute and the Spears Education Center.  Each center may present slightly differing concepts related to philosophy and techniques, but they represent the respected mainstream of literature-based knowledge for the practice of quality care today.  There are many other centers that offer advanced dental education as well related to dental esthetics.

 Currently, dental esthetics is not a specialty.  Any dentist in practicing in the US can perform these types of procedures.  However, there are credentials that are awarded on a peer review basis that designate those that meet a level of excellence that is recognized as the gold standard in dental esthetics.  These credentials or accreditation are measured by the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry (ABCD) through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), which is the largest academy related to dental esthetics in the world.  These credentials, Accreditation and Fellowship, are simply a measurement of the dentist’s ability to create an excellent result through their clinical skill and knowledge.  The actual accumulation and training of this subset of skills may have been learned from a variety of sources.  Because of this anonymous and open examination process, the credential is not available for purchase or award simply because someone has attended a program.  It must be earned.  The achievement typically takes years to accomplish and requires written examinations, clinical documentation of actual cases and oral exams.  In the level of Fellowship, it represents a lifetime body of work demonstrating the skills related to esthetic care.  Currently there are less than 350 dentists and laboratory technicians that are Accredited by the AACD, and only 53 that have been awarded it’s highest honor: Fellowship.  Any dentist that is licensed certainly has the potential to provide an excellent result, with or without the credentials.  Credentialing only provides an irrefutable measurement by other dentists and lab technicians that are recognized experts in the field of cosmetic dentistry, who endorse those that avail themselves to this evaluation to confirm that candidates are who they say they are: qualified to provide excellence in cosmetic dental care.

 In providing restorative esthetic dental care, one of the team members that the dentist will rely on heavily is the laboratory technician when creating restorations like veneers or crowns.  This same credentialing process is available for the lab technicians.  Information related to locating a credentialed dentist or lab technician can be found at http://www.aacd.com/index.php?module=aacd&cmd=memberreferral.  The synergy of the team of the restorative dentist and the ceramist/lab technician is the key element in creating a predictable and beautiful result. 

 Our goal is obviously to have the smile you desire the first time it is done.  Improper care can result in:

• Bulky unnatural appearing restorations.  In a social setting, the desire is to have others observe your smile as natural and beautiful, and not be able to perceive that any dentistry was completed.  Bulky restorations can also result in tissue (gums) that bleed and are infected.
• Restorations that break or fall off.
• Restorations that are in the wrong position or are too big that affect speech or give the appearance of “bucked teeth”.
• Restorations that are monochromatic (one shade) that don’t reflect what we would normally see in nature.

Proper care can involve a significant investment.  Veneers or crowns delivered by a qualified provider can range from $1500 – 2500/ tooth depending upon the economic conditions of an area and the experience of the restorative dentist.  Finding the right dentist is the beginning of a long-term relationship to help insure the health of your smile.  Cost and insurance coverage can often be a limiting concern, but always keep in mind that having something done twice, because it didn’t meet expectations the first time is always far more expensive, often yielding a compromised result.  Some practices tout themselves as a destination practice for cosmetic dental care.  These are practices that offer cosmetic treatment without providing maintenance and recurring care with periodic check ups and visits with the “in house hygienist” after treatment is completed.  They provide the restorative care and you return to your “regular dentist” for “cleaning visits”.  This is a concern.  Ideally, you want the dentist that completed your care and has been intimately involved in what was done, to monitor and help maintain the result.  It is beneficial to find a professional, if possible, within a reasonable distance that you will be willing to travel to on an ongoing basis for maintenance and evaluation.

 So how does the public find a dentist that has the training, experience and tenure to predictably deliver the results they are seeking? Here are some recommendations in gathering information to help make this important selection:

•Contact friends and family and ask who their dentist is and what their experiences are. ?

•If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist, contact other dental specialists (such as an oral surgeon, orthodontist or periodontist) and ask for a referral.  Ask for the best in your area, who they would seek care from if they had an immediate concern. ?

•Call perspective offices and ask questions about the types of dentistry that the practice provides.  Is the staff member friendly and inviting?  Are they willing to take the time to answer your questions? ?

•Set up a visit to the practice for a visit.  Is the facility up to date, clean and reflect the professionalism that you expect.  Does the team enthusiastically support the doctor? ?

•Ask to look at photographs of examples of the treatment that the doctor has completed. ?

•Has the doctor made a career commitment to continuing education?  Is he passionate about the care he provides? ?

•Has the doctor earned additional credentials related to his field of practice?  Have other professionals recognized him as a leader in his field? Some potential resources on the Internet are www.AACD.com and www.MyNewSmile.com.

 In the end, you want to put yourself in the hands of a team of providers that has the training, credentials, experience and tenure to meet your needs.  The patient does not want to be overly focused on veneers, crowns or implants.  These are only products on the shelf that a qualified restorative cosmetic dentist has at his or her disposal.  Allow the dentist to design a plan that is best for you. It often will involve a variety of techniques and procedures. This will allow for the most conservative, predictable and durable result possible.

www.aacd.com

Scott Finlay, DDS of Arnold, Maryland Elected to the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry

May 28, 2010 – Scott Finlay, DDS of Arnold, Maryland has been elected to the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry, the credentialing authority of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Dr. Finlay was elected to the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry at the 26th Annual AACD Scientific Session in Grapevine, Texas.

“I am honored to serve on the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry of the AACD. This is the premier organization for advancing excellence in cosmetic dentistry, and I am excited to help lead the profession into the future,” said Dr. Finlay.

The purpose of the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry is the testing, analyzing, and evaluation of the services provided by dentists and dental laboratory technicians for the purpose of awarding AACD Accredited and Accredited Fellow status in cosmetic dentistry. Through the AACD’s Accreditation program for dentists and dental laboratory technicians, AACD members must undergo a three-part process consisting of a written examination, submission of clinical cases for evaluation, and an oral examination. Each individual must also attend a series of workshops as part of the program. While each part must be completed in sequence, individuals pursuing Accreditation have up to five years to complete the program after successfully completing the written examination.

Dr. Finlay graduated with honors from University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery and a GPR program at a Washington DC Area Trauma Hospital. He is an Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Finlay is also a Senior Faculty Member of the Dawson Academy. He began his practice in Annapolis, Maryland in 1987 (www.AnnapolisSmiles.com) with a special emphasis on esthetic and restorative dentistry.

Dr. Finlay is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, Past President of the Anne Arundel County Dental Society and a founding member of the local Pankey/Dawson Study Club. He is perennially voted the Best Cosmetic/Restorative Dentist in the Greater Annapolis area by a jury of his peers. He has appeared on Baltimore FOX 45 Morning News and two other health television programs as an expert in dental esthetics. Dr. Finlay also the founder the Cosmetic Dream Team, LLC that locally serves as a community resource in all aspects of esthetics as well as hosting philanthropic events to benefit local charities.

The AACD is the world’s largest non-profit membership organization dedicated to advancing excellence in comprehensive oral care combining art and science to optimally improve dental health, function, and esthetics. Comprised of over 6,000 cosmetic dental professionals in more than 70 countries around the globe, the AACD fulfills its mission by offering superior educational opportunities, promoting and supporting a respected Accreditation credential, serving as a user-friendly and inviting forum for the creative exchange of knowledge and ideas, and providing accurate and useful information to the public and the profession.

For more information regarding the AACD, please visit www.aacd.com, send an e-mail to pr@aacd.com, or call 800.543.9220.

Scott Finlay, DDS practices cosmetic dentistry at 1460 Ritchie Hwy Ste 203, Arnold, Maryland. He may be contacted by telephone at (410) 757-6681 or online at www.annapolissmiles.com.

Our entire team will be traveling to Dallas in April to attend the annual conference for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. At the final formal gala, Dr. Finlay will be awarded Fellowship by the AACD. This is a prestigious event with leaders in cosmetic dentistry from across the globe in attendance. When Dr. Finlay was Accredited by the AACD in 2007 in Atlanta, we had a surprise in store for him when he received his award. Check out our celebration on this YouTube video.  We plan to out do ourselves when he receives his Fellowship!