Cosmetic Dentistry
How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist in Miami
Published · Haute MD Editorial Team
Start by confirming the dentist holds a clear, active Florida dental license on the Florida Department of Health's license lookup. Then remember that "cosmetic dentist" is a practice focus, not a recognized dental specialty. The ADA's National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards currently recognizes 12 dental specialties, and cosmetic dentistry is not one of them. Florida law (§466.0282, Fla. Stat.) limits who may call themselves a "specialist." Unless a dentist holds credentials from an organization the ADA or the Board approves as bona fide, an ad announcing a practice emphasis in a non-specialty area like cosmetic dentistry must say that it is not recognized as a specialty by the ADA or the Florida Board of Dentistry. After those checks, judge the dentist on their own before-and-after cases, verifiable credentials such as AACD accreditation, and how clearly they explain alternatives. This guide is general information, not dental or medical advice.
At a glance
1. License: Florida DOH MQA "Verify a License" (linked from the Florida Board of Dentistry site): profession "Dentist," status, discipline on file, public complaints. 2. Specialty claims: Cosmetic dentistry is **not** among the 12 ADA National Commission–recognized specialties. In Florida, only dentists meeting §466.0282(1) may hold themselves out as specialists. 3. Required disclaimer: Florida dentists without credentials from an ADA- or Board-approved bona fide organization who advertise a non-specialty emphasis must state it "IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS A SPECIALTY AREA BY THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION OR THE FLORIDA BOARD OF DENTISTRY" (§466.0282(3)). 4. Credentials: Ask *which* credential. AACD **accreditation** is a credential the AACD awards after its accreditation process; AACD **membership** is not the same thing. 5. Complex cases: Recognized specialties relevant to smile work include prosthodontics (function and appearance), periodontics (gum health and esthetics), and orthodontics (bite and alignment). 6. Sedation: Florida's Board of Dentistry sets training and certification rules for sedation and general anesthesia, and requires CPR/ACLS certification for anyone who administers anesthesia (§466.017). 7. Ads: Florida bars dentist ads with laudatory statements, quality comparisons, or claims likely to create unjustified expectations (§466.019(3)).
Step 1: Verify the Florida license
Every dentist practicing in Miami must hold a Florida dental license. The Florida Board of Dentistry website links "Verify a License" to the Florida Department of Health's MQA search portal. Choose the Board of Dentistry, enter the dentist's last name, and open the record. A license record shows the profession (Dentist), license number, license status (for example "Clear/Active"), original issue and expiration dates, address of record, and whether there is discipline on file or a public complaint. The same Board site links to the Department of Health's complaints process if you need it. Do this check for every dentist who will treat you, not just the practice owner.
Step 2: Know what "cosmetic dentist" does and doesn't mean
It is not a recognized specialty. The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards, the ADA-affiliated body that recognizes dental specialties, lists 12: dental anesthesiology, dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, orofacial pain, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics. Cosmetic dentistry is not on the list. Florida limits the word "specialist." Under §466.0282(1), a Florida-licensed dentist may not hold themselves out as a specialist, or advertise specialty recognition by an accrediting organization, unless they have: completed an ADA- and Commission on Dental Accreditation-approved specialty education program and are eligible for, or a diplomate of, an ADA-recognized national specialty board; or. continuously held themselves out as a specialist in an ADA-recognized specialty since December 31, 1964. A dentist can still announce a practice emphasis in cosmetic dentistry. Under §466.0282(3), a dentist who lacks credentials from an accrediting organization the ADA or the Board approves as bona fide must then include in the advertisement a clearly distinguishable statement that the area "IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS A SPECIALTY AREA BY THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION OR THE FLORIDA BOARD OF DENTISTRY." If the ad references an organization that recognizes the area, it must also state that the organization is not recognized as a bona fide specialty accrediting organization by the ADA or the Board. The statute says its purpose is to stop dentists from implying specialization the ADA or the Board doesn't recognize. When a specialist may matter. The National Commission's definitions show where recognized specialties overlap with appearance. Prosthodontics covers rehabilitation of "oral function, comfort, appearance and health" for patients with missing or deficient teeth. Periodontics includes maintaining "the health, function and esthetics" of the tissues supporting the teeth. Orthodontics covers correcting malocclusion. For extensive restorative work, gum issues, or bite problems, ask whether a specialist should be part of the plan.
Step 3: Ask which credential, then verify it
AACD accreditation vs. membership. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry describes Accreditation as a credentialing process. Accredited Dental Professionals get the right to advertise that status and a preferred listing in the AACD's online referral directory. AACD announced twelve new Accredited Dental Professionals in its Class of 2026. Being an AACD member is not the same as being AACD-accredited, so if a dentist says "AACD," ask which one they mean and confirm it with the AACD. Education and continuing education. Dental school, any residency (such as a general practice residency), and recent hands-on continuing education in the procedure you want are all fair to ask about. Florida disclosures. If a Florida dentist's ad mentions a cosmetic-dentistry organization without the §466.0282(3) disclaimers, ask about it.
Step 4: Read dental advertising with Florida's rules in mind
Florida's dental advertising statute (§466.019) applies to websites and social media as well as print. It bars dentist ads that contain misrepresentations, laudatory statements about the dentist, comparisons of quality with other dentists, claims likely to create false or unjustified expectations of favorable results, or fee information without a disclaimer that it is a minimum fee. Superlatives in a dentist's own marketing are therefore a reason to look harder, not a credential.
Step 5: Questions to ask at a Miami consultation
Is your Florida license clear and active, and who else on the team will treat me? Can I see before-and-after photos of your own patients with problems like mine? What are the less invasive alternatives, such as bonding instead of veneers, and why do you recommend this option? (See Veneers vs. Bonding.) Do you preview results before treatment, for example with digital smile design or a trial mock-up? Which dental laboratory makes the restorations, and who designs them? Will a specialist (prosthodontist, periodontist, or orthodontist) be involved? If sedation is offered, what level, who administers it, and what Florida Board of Dentistry training or permit requirements apply? (See What Is Sedation Dentistry?.) What maintenance will the work need, and what happens if a restoration chips or I'm unhappy with the result? Can I have the treatment plan and fee estimate in writing before I commit?
Find a doctor
Find a Doctor Cosmetic Dentistry doctors Top Doctors in Miami Dr. Vince Avallone: his profile describes him as a cosmetic and comprehensive dentist at Apa Aesthetic, practicing at the group's Miami and New York City locations. Per the profile, he earned his DDS from New York University College of Dentistry, completed a one-year general practice residency at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, and holds a Florida dental license (DN24996). His listed clinical focus is smile makeovers, hand-layered porcelain veneers, and full-mouth rehabilitation. Haute MD is an editorial directory; inclusion is not a ranking, a specialty designation, or a guarantee of results. Verify any dentist's Florida license yourself before treatment.
Sources
National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards (ADA) — "Recognized Dental Specialties" (12 recognized specialties and definitions). https://ncrdscb.ada.org/recognized-dental-specialties (fetched 2026-10-17). Fla. Stat. §466.0282 (2026) — Specialties (specialist claims; required disclaimers for non-specialty practice emphasis). Florida Senate. https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/466.0282 (fetched 2026-10-17). Fla. Stat. §466.019 (2026) — Advertising by dentists. Florida Senate. https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/466.019 (fetched 2026-10-17). Fla. Stat. §466.017 (2026) — Prescription of drugs; anesthesia (Board rules on sedation/general anesthesia training; CPR/ACLS requirement). Florida Senate. https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/466.017 (fetched 2026-10-17). Florida Board of Dentistry — home page ("Verify a License," "File a Complaint" links). https://floridasdentistry.gov/ (fetched 2026-10-17). Florida Department of Health, MQA Search Portal — License Verification. https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/HealthCareProviders (fetched 2026-10-17). American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry — "AACD Accreditation & Fellowship" (Accredited Dental Professional benefits; Class of 2026). https://aacd.com/accreditation (fetched 2026-10-17). Haute MD — Dr. Vince Avallone member profile (member description only). https://hauteliving.com/hautemd/doctor/dr-vince-avallone (fetched 2026-10-17).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cosmetic dentistry a recognized dental specialty?
No. The ADA's National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards recognizes 12 specialties, and cosmetic dentistry is not among them. In Florida, a dentist without credentials from an ADA- or Board-approved bona fide organization who advertises a cosmetic-dentistry emphasis must state that it is not recognized as a specialty area by the ADA or the Florida Board of Dentistry (§466.0282(3)).
How do I check a Miami dentist's license?
Use the Florida Department of Health's MQA license verification (linked as "Verify a License" on the Florida Board of Dentistry website). Search under the Board of Dentistry and review the license status, discipline on file, and public complaint fields.
Can a Florida dentist call themselves a cosmetic dentistry "specialist"?
Under §466.0282(1), only dentists who completed an ADA- and CODA-approved specialty program and are board-eligible or board-certified in an ADA-recognized specialty (or who have held themselves out as such since 1964) may claim specialist status. Cosmetic dentistry isn't an ADA-recognized specialty.
What is AACD accreditation?
It is a credential awarded by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry through its accreditation process. Accredited Dental Professionals may advertise the status and get a preferred listing in AACD's referral directory. It isn't the same as AACD membership, and in Florida it isn't a specialty designation.
Should I see a prosthodontist instead of a cosmetic dentist?
For extensive restorative work involving missing or badly damaged teeth, ask whether a prosthodontist should be involved. Prosthodontics is a recognized specialty that covers restoring function, comfort, appearance, and health.
Does Haute MD list prices for cosmetic dentistry in Miami?
No. Fees depend on the case and the practice. Ask for a written treatment plan and estimate at your consultation.
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