Mission
The American College of Prosthodontists empowers member success, promotes education, research, clinical practice and public awareness of prosthodontics.
Vision
Everyone deserves a healthy smile.
Guiding Principles
ACCOUNTABILITY
We assume responsibility for our actions, adhere to out mission and vision, and follow through on our commitments to our members, partners, peers, patients, and stakeholders.
COLLABORATION
We work together to provide value to our members and advance our mission, adopting a synergetic approach when engaging stakeholders to advance the specialty and continuously improve patient outcomes.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
We embrace our members and employees, give access to education or other benefits provided by the ACP, and encourage diversity by race, ethnicity, language, religion, immigration status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or socio-economic status in the ACP.
INTEGRITY
We act and speak in a way that is congruent with the College's vision, mission, and expectations to appropriately embody the standards of the specialty.
PROFESSIONALISM
We represent the specialty in an appropriate manner, treating others with respect, demonstrating an openness to diverse perspectives, and serving with excellence.
TRANSPARENCY
We value open and honest dialogue that creates a system of effective and authentic communication within and between the College, the Foundation, our members, partner organizations, patients, and the public.
The ACP has more than 3,900 members and affiliates internationally including prosthodontists, dental technicians, dental students and specialty residents, and other dental professionals who have made significant contributions to the specialty.
Purpose
Founded in 1970, the American College of Prosthodontists is a not-for-profit organization created to represent the needs and interests of prosthodontists within organized dentistry, and to the public, by providing opportunities for dialogue, education, advancement, and improvement through meetings, continuing education, communications, publications, and other programs and activities.
The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards recognizes prosthodontics as a dental specialty. The ACP is the only prosthodontic specialty association where membership is based solely on education credentials. ACP members must be in or have completed an advanced education program in prosthodontics that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Representing a unified voice for the specialty, the ACP regularly communicates and interacts with the American Dental Association, Council on Dental Education and Licensure, and CODA, as well as other dental specialty organizations to discuss, support, and influence key issues impacting the specialty and the future of prosthodontic education.
The College supports three affiliated organizations that work together to advance the prosthodontic specialty: the ACP Education Foundation, the American Board of Prosthodontics, and the Prosthodontic Forum.
2021-24 Strategic Plan
The College and the ACP Education Foundation are aligned in a strategic plan to shape the future of the specialty.
These are the strategic priorities:
INCREASE MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
All existing and inactive sections are active and engaged, providing members with clearly communicated opportunities to become involved in regional section activity and pathways to leadership. Where feasible, all states have an active functioning section, and in states in which it is not possible to have a section, members are supported to use new activity resources and find ways to engage even without a formal local section.
ENHANCE QUALITY OF CARE TO IMPROVE PATIENT OUTCOMES
An increased percentage of members are taking advantage of best-in-class training, which provides resources and support, to stay on the cutting edge of best prosthodontic practices, to better utilize current and emerging technological advances (including digital dentistry) and improve practice management skills to more effectively treat patients and improve health outcomes.
CREATE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The College has launched a formal leadership development program to enhance members’ leadership skills, making them more effective and impactful leaders in their personal and professional lives.
POSITION THE SPECIALTY AS A LEADER
Prosthodontics is recognized by key stakeholders (including other specialties, general dentists, healthcare organizations, corporate partners, governing bodies, and the general public) as a valued partner, leader, and go-to resource in delivering high-quality patient oral health outcomes, advancing technological and procedural innovations, and driving improvements in the standards of care in dentistry.
MAINTAIN ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AND VIABILITY
The College is financially and operationally sound, leveraging opportunities to diversify funding, increase revenue, monetize thought leadership and strengthen human capital to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of the organization.
This strategic plan will guide the aligned activities of the College and Foundation through 2024.