Meet Dr. Lodding

After graduating magna cum laude from St. Norbert College, Dr. Lodding went on to earn his DDS degree from University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1980. From 1980-81, he provided dental care to the Oglala Sioux tribe in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. In 1981, Dr. Lodding began his private practice, which is now the practice our many generations of patients rely upon today to keep their smiles healthy and beautiful. The exemplary treatment and care that each one of Dr. Lodding’s patients receives can be attributed to his dedication to pursuing the best training and education. His patients thrive from state-of-the-art technologies and advanced dentistry techniques that provide superlative results, and he strives to provide personalized dental care to optimize the overall wellbeing of each patient he serves. Dr. Lodding’s passion for performing at his best also carries over into his private life, where he is an avid drummer, dedicated golfer, and, most importantly, a proud father and husband.

The most important step in Dr. Lodding‘s persistent journey to be exceptional was becoming a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in 1986. It is through his involvement in the AACD that Dr. Lodding became friends and colleagues with the best dentists in the world. He is continuously inspired by these relationships on both a personal and professional level. In 1988, Dr. Lodding became one of the first dentists in the world to become accredited in the field of cosmetic dentistry. From 1993-96, he served as Accreditation Chair for the AACD and developed the accreditation process, which has become the leading evaluator of the credentials of cosmetic dentists in the world. From 1990 to 2001, he was on the board of the AACD, culminating in his serving as AACD President between 2000 and 2001. In 2003, he was chosen as the chairperson of the AACD Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile program, which was developed to help restore the smiles of domestic violence survivors who sustained dental injuries.

In 2006, in response to increasing awareness of the connection between oral health and systemic health, Dr. Lodding became a co-founder of the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health. The organization has since become a leading forum for dental and medical professionals to unite their knowledge in order to improve and save lives.

It was in 2004 that Dr. Lodding began what he considers the most significant and important phase of his professional career: On March 16, 2004 he founded Smile For Life Dental. It was the culmination of Dr. Lodding’s professional dream to establish a dental practice that would employ an incredible staff to provide the best in dental care to an amazing community of patients. He can proudly say that he and his exceptional team have made that dream a reality. Dr. Lodding has said, “I am blessed with the most amazing dental team in the most modern facility with the world’s best patients!”

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Lodding

Cosmetic Dentistry in the Spotlight

What Does It Mean to Be Accredited By the AACD?

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) is one of the largest and most respected cosmetic dentistry organizations in the world. It places emphasis on the importance of continuing education, quality patient care, and strictly upheld ethical standards. Members are required to demonstrate proficiency across an array of subjects, in addition to continuously expanding their knowledge within the field of cosmetic dentistry. Only those with the requisite skill, experience, passion, and knowledge become Accredited Fellows, the highest level of distinction within the organization. This title is awarded to an extremely selective number of clinicians in recognition of their superior academic and clinical expertise. In addition to being an Accredited Fellow, Dr. Lodding also had the honor of serving as a former President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He believes deeply in the AACD’s mission of clinical excellence and ongoing education, and he maintains an active role within the broader cosmetic dentistry community.  

How Do I Find the Best Cosmetic Dentist Near Me?

Finding the best cosmetic dentist for your needs can be challenging, but some important factors to keep in mind include: 

• The education and experience of your chosen dentist
• The dentist’s professional affiliations and accreditations 
• The quality of the dentist’s past results (as seen in before-and-after photos, patient testimonials, and online reviews, which should be readily available)
• The overall office environment and the technology offered by the practice

You should also ultimately feel comfortable with your chosen dentist, and they should readily and honestly answer any and all questions you may have about their background or the procedure(s) you are interested in. 

Advancements in dental technology have made it possible for a wide range of dentists to offer cosmetic treatments, but the overall quality of your results is still dependent on the skill and experience of your dentist. Incorporating these factors into your search can help ensure that you are making an informed decision that you can feel confident about. 

Questions To Ask a Cosmetic Dentist

In order to further aid your search for the right cosmetic dentist, we have compiled a list of possible questions to bring up during your consultation. The consultation is an invaluable opportunity to get to know your prospective dentist and learn more about the procedure(s) you are interested in. Topics to discuss include:

• How long have you been practicing cosmetic dentistry?
• Are you a member of any professional organizations, such as the AACD?
• How often do you perform the procedure(s) I am interested in?
• Can you explain the treatment process to me?
• When will I see the results of my treatment?
• Do you have any advanced technologies or treatment methods that you employ with my treatment of interest?
• May I see before-and-after photos of past cases similar to mine? 
• Do you offer any warranties on your work?

Your safety, comfort, and satisfaction should be the top priority of any prospective dentist you consult. We hope that these questions will help empower you to guide your consultation and express any prospective concerns in an open and honest manner.

President Award from AAOSH

• American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH) presented the President Award to Dr. Lodding for his involvement in increasing awareness of the mouth’s connection to overall health.
• AAOSH aims to elevate the standard of dental and health care by increasing communication among physicians and educating the public on the oral-systemic health link.

Get To Know Dr. Lodding

What was your inspiration for becoming a cosmetic dentist?

I love all aspects of dentistry, and the advancement of the discipline has been my mission throughout my career. I view giving amazing smiles to others as one of my purposes in life.

What do you love most about being a cosmetic dentist?

I love being able to give someone a smile that elevates their sense of self and helps them to be all they can be.

What sets you apart from other cosmetic dentists?

I have a deep love for all of my patients and I strive to ensure that I provide them with the best possible treatment for their needs. I also prefer to approach each case conservatively, taking into account how to give someone their best smile with the least amount of work. Furthermore, my almost 40 years of experience provides me with a level of skill and insight that is unmatched by anyone else operating in the area. 

Are there certain accomplishments or patient cases you are particularly proud of?

I am most proud of those cases where someone who has been hiding their smile for years begins to love smiling following their treatment.

Do you have a favorite cosmetic dentistry procedure?

My favorite procedure is always the procedure that best fits the needs of the patient.

What are you most excited about in regards to the future of cosmetic dentistry?

I am most excited about being able to create beautiful smiles for our patients using less invasive methods that require less prep-time. Making cosmetic dentistry procedures easier and more accessible to patients definitely excites me.

Charitable Work

Dr. Lodding strongly believes in the importance of giving back. Over the years, he has contributed much of his time serving on the Board of Directors for the Community Crisis Center in Elgin, which provides shelter, care, and support for victims of domestic violence. He also served as the national chairperson for the AACD’s Give Back a Smile program, which connects those who have suffered dental injuries as a result of domestic violence with a volunteer cosmetic dentist. 

In addition, Dr. Lodding has also been heavily involved with One Collective, an international missionary organization that provides food, faith, and freedom for those less fortunate around the world. He was on the board of directors for One Collective for three years. Faith and service are a very critical part of Dr. Lodding‘s life. He lives to use the gift of his skills in dentistry to provide dental care for those who, in exchange, pay it forward to others using their own abilities.

Schedule A Consultation

You deserve the best care, by the best doctor, using the best treatment available. Putting the care of your oral health into the hands of Dr. Dean Lodding and his Smile for Life Dental team is the best choice for your smile. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lodding, please contact our office today.