Home >> About AAPD >> President’s Welcome

Welcome to the official Web site of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). We are the membership organization representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. The AAPD’s 7,200 members serve as primary care and specialty providers for millions of children from infancy through adolescence; provide advanced, specialty-level care for infants, children, adolescents and patients with special health care needs; and are the primary contributors to professional education programs and scholarly works concerning children’s dental care. The AAPD also represents general dentists who treat a significant number of children in their practices.

The AAPD is the recognized authority on pediatric oral health care and leader in several prominent areas including:

• Development of oral health policies and clinical guidelines for pediatric dentistry

• Advocacy for children’s oral health care before legislatures and government agencies

• Dissemination of information to parents, guardians and other caregivers about children’s oral health care

• Continuing professional education for pediatric dentists and general dentists who treat children

Whether you are looking for general information related to your child’s oral health or guidance on a specific issue, you have come to the right place. Here you will find information on the AAPD’s many programs and resources including: advocacy, oral health brochures, finding a pediatric dentist, oral health policies and clinical guidelines, online store, meetings and events, publications...and much, much more. Best of all, this information comes from the nation’s leading pediatric oral health experts and is supported by scientific research. Please note we cannot respond to requests regarding the personal dental concerns of your children. Your family pediatric dentist is the best source for that information.

Our top priority as an organization is to secure financial access to quality oral health care for all children, and we are actively pursuing this at the national and state level. I encourage you to visit our latest advocacy news section to find out more about what the AAPD is doing and what you can do to advocate for children’s access to oral health care in your community.

We hope you find what you are looking for and visit this site often, as we continuously update it to provide you with the most current information.

Sincerely yours,

Beverly A. Largent, D.M.D.
AAPD President 2008-09