American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), founded in December 1984 by Dr. Jack Kammer and Dr. Jeff Morley, is the world's largest organization for cosmetic dental professionals.
The AACD stated mission is as follows: offering educational opportunities; promoting and supporting an accreditation credential; serving forum for the exchange of knowledge and ideas; and providing information to the public and the profession.
The AACD includes over 7000 practitioners, educators, researchers and laboratory technicians from 70 countries. This global perspective allows AACD members to gather information from the international field of cosmetic dentistry.
Accreditation Credential in Cosmetic Dentistry
In 1983, Dr. Morley saw the need for a standardized credential in the newly emerging field of cosmetic dentistry and led the formation of AACD's Accreditation Program in 1985. With the help of Dr. Michael Miller, the AACD developed an examination process for cosmetic dentistry, the first of its kind within the dental profession, and began offering postgraduate certification in the field in 1986. AACD Accreditation has grown into the preeminent cosmetic dentistry testing standard within dentistry, including written exams and submission of actual case-work in specific cosmetic dentistry disciplines. The credential is available to both dentists and laboratory technicians, worldwide. While the American Dental Association has not recognized cosmetic dentistry as a specialty, a landmark court case in Florida, Ducoin v Viamonte determined that AACD accreditation is a legitimate credential that can be announced by a dentist to the public.
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s Charitable Foundation
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s Charitable Foundation’s (AACDCF) purpose is to serve the philanthropic efforts of the AACD. It maintains three programs: Give Back A Smile, The Give Back A Smile Whitening Program, and The Disaster Relief Fund.