Candidates for active fellowship shall be ethical dentists and shall have made outstanding contributions to the art and science of dentistry or to society. Fellowship is by invitation only and candidates must have graduated from an accredited dental school.
Fellowship in the Academy is by nomination by professional leaders and was designed to be itself an accolade to past accomplishment and an encouragement to future productivity. Contributions to dental literature, service to the profession of dentistry, and service to the general community, thereby bringing credit to dentistry, were among the criteria sought in recruiting new members. The Academy has its own publication, Dental World, and has always encouraged its fellow members to contribute to dental education and dental literature. Through its Foundation, it offers financial support to various dental projects and monetary grants to dental students.