I am getting sick of dentists who declare they are the only ones who can do “true” cosmetic work because they are AACD accredited. That does NOT make you a specialist. All dentists are cosmetic dentists. We have the same exact degree. You are not any more specialized than I am. Stop trying to take our patients by pretending you are.
Name Withheld
Dear Anonymous,
I would say it took courage for you to write a peer complaining about their blog, but as you withheld your name….
There is one way you are correct and another you are completely wrong. Here is where you are correct. There isn’t a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry, so technically no dentist can be called a specialist.
That being said, that does not mean some dentists aren’t better than others at cosmetic work. The health and fix it dentistry taught in dental school has an engineering mindset. Smile makeovers, which are learned post-doctorally are both patient-driven and an art form.
The Best Cosmetic Dentists are Patient Driven
In dental school, we are often taught that the dentist knows best. That is the opposite of cosmetic work. Patients come to us because they are unhappy with their smile. Our job is to create a smile they love. A true cosmetic dentist would never be satisfied if the patient wasn’t. You are creating their dream; not your own.
The Best Cosmetic Dentists Invest in Developing their Art
Look at it like painting. You can have two artists who graduated from the same art school with the same degree, yet one of them will create more beautiful paintings than the other. Maybe they practice more. Maybe they have a more artistic eye and natural talent.
It takes a lot of post-doctoral training to understand the color theory and technic necessary to do a smile makeover. The best cosmetic dentists take that seriously and invest the time necessary to develop those skills.
Are AACD accredited dentists the only great cosmetic dentists? No. However, they have to pass stringent exams as well as turn in a large number of cases demonstrating their artistry to reach accreditation. Because there isn’t a recognized specialty, knowing your dentist is accredited means they have the skills. It’s a sort of safety net for patients.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.