American Association of Dental Speakers
About AADS
The American Association of Dental Speakers is the national professional association dedicated to elevating the quality, professionalism, and impact of dental education.
Our Mission
Our Mission
To elevate the quality, professionalism, and impact of dental education through speaker development, ethical standards, certification, and collaboration across the dental profession.
Our Vision
"A dental profession where every educational experience is delivered by qualified, ethical, and highly skilled speakers — and where dental educators are recognized, supported, and empowered to make a lasting impact."
Core Values
Excellence
We hold dental education to the highest standards of accuracy, clarity, and professional quality.
Integrity
We promote ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of dental speaking and education.
Professionalism
We advance the standing of dental speakers as credentialed professionals within the broader dental community.
Collaboration
We build bridges between speakers, organizations, companies, and the dental profession at large.
Development
We invest in the growth of dental speakers at every stage of their professional journey.
Impact
We measure success by the quality of dental education delivered and the advancement of the profession.
Our History
Founded to Fill a Critical Gap
The American Association of Dental Speakers was founded by dental professionals who recognized a critical gap in the profession: while dental speakers play a vital role in continuing education, product training, and professional development, there was no dedicated professional association to support, credential, or represent them.
AADS was established to change that to create the professional infrastructure that dental speakers deserve, and to bring the same level of professional recognition to dental education that other specialties within dentistry have long enjoyed.
Today, AADS serves dental speakers across every specialty and practice area, from solo practitioners who speak occasionally to full-time professional dental educators and consultants. Our membership spans clinicians, hygienists, dental assistants, practice management consultants, industry educators, and more.
Founded
AADS established to support and credential dental speakers nationally
CDS Program
Certified Dental Speaker designation launched the first national credential for dental speakers
FAADS
Fellowship designation introduced to recognize sustained excellence and leadership in dental education
Speaker Directory
National AADS Speaker Directory launched, connecting organizations with qualified dental speakers
Leadership
AADS Leadership
AADS is governed by a volunteer board of experienced dental professionals and speakers committed to advancing the association's mission.
President
Dr. Patricia Harmon, DDS, FAADS
DDS, FAADS
Dr. Harmon is a restorative dentist and nationally recognized dental educator with over 20 years of speaking experience. She has lectured at major dental conferences across the country and is a founding member of AADS.
President-Elect
Dr. Marcus Webb, DMD, CDS
DMD, CDS
Dr. Webb specializes in implant dentistry and has built a distinguished career as both a clinician and educator. He serves on the faculty of several dental continuing education programs.
Secretary
Dr. Angela Torres, RDH, MS, FAADS
RDH, MS, FAADS
Dr. Torres is a dental hygiene educator and speaker specializing in periodontal therapy and patient communication. She has contributed to dental hygiene education at the national level for over 15 years.
Treasurer
Dr. Kevin Nakamura, DDS, CDS
DDS, CDS
Dr. Nakamura is a practicing dentist and dental practice management consultant. He speaks nationally on practice growth, team development, and the business of dentistry.
Director of Certification
Dr. Renee Okafor, DMD, FAADS
DMD, FAADS
Dr. Okafor oversees the AADS Certified Dental Speaker program. She is a prosthodontist and dental educator with extensive experience in curriculum development and speaker training.
Director of Membership
Dr. Samuel Briggs, DDS
DDS
Dr. Briggs leads AADS membership development and outreach. He is a general dentist and dental educator focused on helping emerging speakers build their professional careers.
Ethical Standards
AADS Code of Ethics
AADS members are held to a comprehensive Code of Ethics that governs all aspects of their professional conduct as dental speakers and educators. Adherence to these standards is a condition of membership and certification.
Scientific Accuracy
Members shall present only scientifically accurate, evidence-based information. Claims shall be supported by peer-reviewed research or established clinical evidence. Members shall clearly distinguish between established evidence and emerging or anecdotal information.
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Members shall fully disclose all financial relationships, sponsorships, consulting arrangements, and other potential conflicts of interest to audiences prior to any presentation. Disclosure shall be clear, complete, and made in advance.
Educational Integrity
Members shall ensure that educational content is developed and presented for the primary benefit of the audience and the advancement of the dental profession — not for the promotion of specific products, services, or commercial interests.
Professional Conduct
Members shall conduct themselves with professionalism, respect, and integrity in all professional interactions — with audiences, colleagues, event organizers, and industry partners.
Continuing Competence
Members shall maintain and continuously develop their subject-matter expertise, staying current with advances in their areas of specialization and the broader dental profession.
Intellectual Honesty
Members shall properly attribute all sources, acknowledge the contributions of others, and refrain from presenting the work of others as their own. Plagiarism in any form is prohibited.
Violations of the AADS Code of Ethics may result in suspension or revocation of membership and/or certification. Members are encouraged to report potential violations through the AADS Ethics Committee.
Join the Association Elevating Dental Education
Become part of the professional community setting the standard for dental speaking and education.