Academy of Laser Dentistry
Fellowship & Mastership Program
Fellowship Recipients
Center: Marina Polonsky, DDS
Right: Maria Judith Yap, DMD
Mastership Recipient
James Carreiro, DMD
SP by Credential Recipient
Saadia Mohammed, DDS
We look forward to reviewing your application. Click here for application submission instructions.
The Academy of Laser Dentistry opens application enrollment for the Fellowship & Mastership program from November 15 - December 31. This program honors members who have shown extraordinary commitment to the use of lasers in dentistry by awarding the designations of Fellow of the Academy of Laser Dentistry and Master of the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Fellows and Masters are honored each year during the Awards Ceremony at the Annual Conference.
These designations are an acknowledgement of the significant efforts a member has made to achieve a high-level of knowledge about the application of lasers in dental science and patient treatment. Members obtaining these designations can be proud of their achievement and the Academy wishes to recognize their distinction within the professional dental community.
ALD members in good standing may apply for the highest designation for which they are qualified. Fellowship status is a pre-requisite for Mastership designation and you may only hold one designation at any given time.
Eligibility Requirements
Fellowship of the Academy of Laser Dentistry
- The candidate must be a member in good standing.
- The candidate must have achieved Standard Certification from an Academy of Laser Dentistry.
- This certification must be verifiable by the ALD. If not verifiable, the candidate has the option of taking a Standard Course given by an ALD recognized speaker, performing a clinical simulation and taking the current Standard Online Exam for the required fees.
- The candidate must attend at least one annual Academy of Laser Dentistry conference every three (3) years. The candidate must have attended at least one (1) ALD annual conference prior to applying for Fellowship in the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
- The candidate, upon applying for Fellowship, must have attended at least fifty (50) hours of continuing laser education approved by the ALD. ADA CERP and AGD PACE CE programs related to Lasers in Dentistry should meet the approval process. International members must show equivalent credentialing of the educational programs provided in the application. Thereafter, the candidate must complete twenty-five (25) hours of continuing education approved by the ALD during every three-year renewal period.
- The fee for Fellowship induction is $275.
- Renewal will occur every three (3) years and will take place from November 15 - December 31 of the renewal year. At the end of each three-year period, the Fellowship recipient will be considered for renewal for the following three-year period if the following criteria has been met: Maintaining ALD membership dues each year without interruption, accumulation of continuing education credit as stated above, and attendance at ALD annual conference at least one time during the three-year renewal period.
- Status begins with the acceptance of the award, which must occur in person at an ALD annual meeting within three (3) years of successful application.
- As long as the Fellowship recipient pays his or her annual ALD dues each year without interruption and is in good standing, no further maintenance fee will be incurred for processing continuing education credits. Those who interrupt payment of annual dues will incur a reinstatement fee of $350 plus all yearly charges owed.
- Fellowship is a pre-requisite for Mastership Application for applications.
- Attendance at the Annual Conference is Mandatory to accept your certificate. There is a three-year window to accept your honor in person. Status begins upon acceptance of your award.
Mastership of the Academy of Laser Dentistry
- The candidate must be a member in good standing.
- Fellowship status is a pre-requisite for Mastership designation and the candidate may only hold one designation at any given time .
- The candidate must have achieved Advanced Level Certification from the Academy in at least one wavelength. This certification must be verifiable by the ALD. If not verifiable, the candidate has the option of taking the ALD's Advanced Proficiency examination at a nominal fee.
- The candidate must have attended at least three (3) annual Academy of Laser Dentistry conferences before applying for Mastership Status. Status begins with the acceptance of the award which must occur in person at an ALD annual meeting within three years of successful application.
- The candidate must have attended at least 100 hours of continuing laser education as approved by the Academy. ADA CERP and AGD PACE CE programs related to Lasers in Dentistry should meet the approval process. International members must show equivalent credentialing of the educational programs provided in the application. Thereafter, the candidate must complete fifty (50) hours of continuing education approved by the Academy every five (5) years. During the five (5) year renewal period the candidate, should attend at least two (2) annual conferences.
- In special cases, teaching courses and conducting research which has been published in a peer review journal will be considered for continuing education credit on a case by case basis. Hours of teaching could be recognized, on a one hour to one hour basis for meeting the requirement of fifty (50) hours of continuing education every five (5) years, but only up to ten (10) hours for each renewal period.
- The fee for Mastership induction is $450.
- Renewal will be every five (5) years and will take place from November 15 - December 31 of the renewal year. At the end of the five-year period, the Mastership recipient will be reconsidered for renewal status for the following five-year period based on: maintaining ALD membership dues each year without interruption, the accumulation of continuing education credit as stated above and attendance at ALD annual conference at least two times during the three-year renewal period.
- As long as the Mastership recipient pays his or her annual ALD dues each year without interruption and is in good standing, no further maintenance fee will be incurred for processing continuing education credits. Those who interrupt payment of annual dues will incur a reinstatement fee of $350 plus all yearly charges owed.
- Attendance at the Annual Conference is mandatory to accept your certificate. There is a three-year window to accept your honor in person. Status begins upon acceptance of your award.
How to Apply
Click Here for Program Submission Instructions
The Academy of Laser Dentistry office must receive all of the following components of your application by December 31. Late or incomplete application packages will not be considered.
- Submit your electronic application via email to memberservices@laserdentistry.org.
- Application must include verification of Standard Level (for Fellowship) from an ALD recognized speaker or Advanced Level (for Mastership) from the ALD.
- ALD Annual Membership Dues for the year in which application is filed must be paid in full and the member must be in good standing. Log on to the ALD website with your user name and password to renew your dues. Click here to renew membership dues.
- One Letter of Professional Reference must be provided by a professional dental colleague of equivalent degree stature, who possesses first-hand knowledge of your dental laser clinical expertise. The reference form must be sent via email to memberservices@laserdentistry.org prior to December 31.
Fellowship & Mastership Application / Documents
Application Deadline
November 15 - December 31: Application period for both Fellowship & Mastership. The Academy of Laser Dentistry must receive all of the enumerated components of an application package by December 31. Late or incomplete application packages will not be considered.
Marketing Guidelines and Press Release Announcements
Fellows and Masters of The Academy of Laser Dentistry will be allowed to use the terminology Fellow of the Academy of Laser Dentistry or Master of the Academy of Laser Dentistry in the marketing of their practice, including correspondence and publications, as long as they are current in their status with the Academy and follow their own state regulations regarding advertising and the use of honorary notations after their name.
The Academy of Laser Dentistry will provide a written statement of the above guidelines at the time of awarding the Fellowship or Mastership designation.
Any violation of the policies of the Academy of Laser Dentistry as to professionalism and good standing will be just cause for the revocation of a Fellowship or Mastership designation.
Certificate of Completion
Upon acceptance, Fellows will receive a certificate suitable for framing. Masters will receive a plaque from the Academy of Laser Dentistry. The final step in receiving the Fellowship/Mastership designation in the Academy of Laser Dentistry is to attend a recognition ceremony. This ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Presidential recognitions and awards at the ALD Annual Conference.
Renewal Period
Each candidate will be responsible for remaining a member in good standing, attending the required number of conferences and completing the requisite number of CE credit hours to maintain the Fellow and Master status.
Fellows will be required to renew their Fellowship every three (3) years.
Masters will renew their Mastership every five (5) years.
A renewal application must be completed. This application will be automatically emailed to the member by the Academy of Laser Dentistry during the renewal period. As long as the Fellowship/Mastership recipient pays his or her annual ALD dues each year without interruption and is in good standing, no further maintenance fee will be incurred for processing continuing education credits. Those who interrupt payment of annual dues will incur a reinstatement fee of $350 plus all yearly charges owed.
Selection Process for Fellowship & Mastership Programs
The review process begins once all components of the application are submitted, including the Reference letter. Review of the application will occur within 60 days of receipt of a fully completed application. Candidates will be notified of the decision, via e-mail, by January 31st following application submission. Your application will be reviewed by a task force which will include the Membership Committee Chair and up to 4 volunteer members selected by the Chair.
Refund Policy
Upon written notification requesting application withdrawal, which must be received within 60 days of initial application receipt, a refund will be issued less a $150 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued after 60 days of application receipt.
For questions concerning the application process please contact:
Academy of Laser Dentistry
Email: memberservices@laserdentistry.org
Phone:Toll Fee 877-527-3776 or 954-346-3776
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