--- title: LifeSmiles | Alfred “Duke” Heller, DDS, MS, FAAID, DABOI/ID description: Dr. Alfred “Duke” Heller is the president of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). He earned his DDS (1962) and MS (1974) from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. After spending two and a half years in Army Dental Corp (1962-65), Dr. Heller moved to Worthington, Ohio where he began his private dental practice with a specialty in fixed prosthodontics. He has been a member of the AAID since 1974, became an AAID Fellow in 1991, is Board Certified in Oral Implantology by the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry (ABOI/ID), and served as President of the ABOI/ID. He is an AAID Honored Fellow, and he served on the Admissions and Credentials Board of AAID, the Education Oversight Committee, as well as many other committees. --- [![AAID Credentialed Dentists](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/hubfs/AAID_March2018%20Theme/images/logo_bw-desktop.png)](https://www.aaid-implant.org) [Menu](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/author/alfred-duke-heller-dds-ms-faaid-daboi-id#tm-mobile) - [Dental Implants](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/) - [Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dental Implants](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/everythingyoueverwantedtoknowaboutdentalimplants) - [Who Can Benefit?](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/who-can-benefit/) - [What to Expect](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/what-to-expect/) - [Types of Implants & Techniques](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/types-of-implants-and-techniques/) - [Implants vs. Dentures & Bridges](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/implants-vs-dentures-and-bridges/) - [Common reasons individuals need implants](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/implants-vs-dentures-and-bridges/) - [AAID Credentials](https://www.aaid-implant.org/expertise-you-can-trust/) - [Training, Experience & Credentials](https://www.aaid-implant.org/expertise-you-can-trust/training-experience-and-credentials/) - [3 Reasons to Choose an AAID-Credentialed Dentist](https://aaid-implant.org/expertise-you-can-trust/three-reasons-to-choose-an-aaid-credentialed-dentist/) - [What Patients Say](https://www.aaid-implant.org/category/what-patients-say/) - [Answers from AAID-Credentialed Dentists](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/answers-from-aaid-credentialed-dentists) - [Value and Cost](https://www.aaid-implant.org/value-and-cost/) - [Find an Implant Dentist](https://www.aaid-implant.org/find-an-implant-dentist/) [Find an Implant Dentist](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/find-an-implant-dentist/) - - - - - - [FAQs](https://www.aaid-implant.org/faqs/) - [LifeSmiles Blog](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/) - [American Academy of Implant Dentistry](http://aaid.com/) - - - - - [![AAID Credentialed Dentists](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/hubfs/AAID_March2018%20Theme/images/logo_bw-desktop.png)](https://www.aaid-implant.org) - [Dental Implants How They Work](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/) - [Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dental Implants](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/everythingyoueverwantedtoknowaboutdentalimplants) - [Who Can Benefit?](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/who-can-benefit/) - [What to Expect](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/what-to-expect/) - [Types of Implants & Techniques](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/types-of-implants-and-techniques/) - [Implants vs. Dentures & Bridges](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/implants-vs-dentures-and-bridges/) - [Common reasons individuals need implants](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/implants-vs-dentures-and-bridges/) - [AAID Credentials Why They Matter](https://www.aaid-implant.org/expertise-you-can-trust/) - [Training, Experience & Credentials](https://www.aaid-implant.org/expertise-you-can-trust/training-experience-and-credentials/) - [3 Reasons to Choose an AAID-Credentialed Dentist](https://aaid-implant.org/expertise-you-can-trust/three-reasons-to-choose-an-aaid-credentialed-dentist/) - [What Patients Say](https://www.aaid-implant.org/category/what-patients-say/) - [Answers from AAID-Credentialed Dentists](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/answers-from-aaid-credentialed-dentists) - [Value and Cost What You Should Know](https://www.aaid-implant.org/value-and-cost/) - [Are you a Candidate for Dental Implants?](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/everythingyoueverwantedtoknowaboutdentalimplants) - [Dental Implants Resources](https://aaid-implant.org/dental-implant-resources/) - [Find an Implant Dentist](https://www.aaid-implant.org/find-an-implant-dentist/) [Find an Implant Dentist](https://www.aaid-implant.org/find-an-implant-dentist/) # ![LifeSmiles](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/hubfs/Logos/LifeSmiles_white550px.png) ### Recent Posts ## [Dental Implants: The Top 5 Life-Changing Benefits You Will Notice](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/5-dental-implant-benefits) September 1, 2021 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/hubfs/iStock-1286225521.jpg)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/5-dental-implant-benefits)   If you’re missing teeth, enjoying the simple things in life can be a bit more challenging. Do you find yourself hiding your smile or laughing less? Do you have trouble eating your favorite foods or speaking clearly? Do you dislike having your photo taken? While there are several tooth replacement options to consider, one stands out above the rest: [dental implants](https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/what-to-expect/). They can make a world of difference in your life and help you get back to smiling confidently and enjoying life. That’s why September is Dental Implant Awareness Month: to spread awareness about the benefits of dental implants as well as [how to find a qualified expert](https://www.aaid-implant.org/find-an-implant-dentist/) to give you the smile you deserve. The theme for 2021 is “Eat, laugh, live again!” It celebrates how dental implants help you return to living life to the fullest and how they drastically improve confidence and joy.   ## After getting dental implants, here are 5 benefits you will notice in your day-to-day life: [Read More](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/5-dental-implant-benefits) 12 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/5-dental-implant-benefits#comments-listing) Topics: [Getting started with dental implants](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/getting-started-with-dental-implants), [Choosing an implant dentist](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/choosing-an-implant-dentist), [what to know about implants](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/what-to-know-about-implants), [health connection](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/health-connection), [overall health](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/overall-health), [Dental Implant Awareness Month](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-implant-awareness-month) [All posts](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/all) ## About LifeSmiles The LifeSmiles blog empowers individuals struggling with dental problems to find reliable, practical information and advice on dental implants and how to find a qualified implant expert. Our goal is to ensure that quality care and peace of mind is available to every dental implant patient. ### Learn more about... - [what to know about implants (35)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/what-to-know-about-implants) - [Dental implant procedure (23)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-implant-procedure) - [overall health (23)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/overall-health) - [Getting started with dental implants (22)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/getting-started-with-dental-implants) - [dental implant process (18)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-implant-process) - [health connection (15)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/health-connection) - [Choosing an implant dentist (14)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/choosing-an-implant-dentist) - [FAQs (10)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/faqs) - [Board Certified Implant Dentist (8)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/board-certified-implant-dentist) - [Credentialed Implant Dentist (8)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/credentialed-implant-dentist) - [dental implant research (7)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-implant-research) - [Dental Implant Journey (6)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-implant-journey) - [Bone Loss (5)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/bone-loss) - [Dental Implant Awareness Month (4)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-implant-awareness-month) - [Implant Complications (4)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/implant-complications) - [Replacement Techniques (4)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/replacement-techniques) - [timeline for implants (4)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/timeline-for-implants) - [All-on-4 (2)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/all-on-4) - [COVID-19 (2)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/covid-19) - [mini dental implants (2)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/mini-dental-implants) - [Dental Implant Trends (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-implant-trends) - [Dental anxiety (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-anxiety) - [Dental costs (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-costs) - [Gum disease (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/gum-disease) - [Immediate Implants (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/immediate-implants) - [Implant-Retained Dentures (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/implant-retained-dentures) - [Implantology (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/implantology) - [Magnetic Click-On Implants (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/magnetic-click-on-implants) - [Osteoporosis (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/osteoporosis) - [TMJ (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/tmj) - [Tooth Extraction (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/tooth-extraction) - [diabetes (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/diabetes) - [orthodontics (1)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/orthodontics) see all ### Explore by most recent: - [Home](https://www.aaid-implant.org/) - [Dental Implants: How They Work](https://www.aaid-implant.org/dental-implants/what-are-dental-implants/) - [AAID Credentials: Why They Matter](https://www.aaid-implant.org/aaid-credentials/expertise-you-can-trust/) - [Value & Cost: What You Should Know](https://www.aaid-implant.org/value-and-cost/) - [Find an Implant Dentist](https://www.aaid-implant.org/find-an-implant-dentist/) - [Terms of Use](https://www.aaid-implant.org/terms-of-use/) - [Sitemap](https://www.aaid-implant.org/site-map/) - [Search](https://www.aaid-implant.org/search/) - [![](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/hubfs/AAID_March2018%20Theme/images/spain.png)](https://aaid-implant-design.idevdesign.net/Spanish/) - [![](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/hubfs/AAID_March2018%20Theme/images/japan.png)](https://aaid-implant-design.idevdesign.net/Japanese/) - [![](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/hubfs/AAID_March2018%20Theme/images/skorea.png)](https://aaid-implant-design.idevdesign.net/Korean/) ### [Dental-Wise: FAQs](https://www.aaid-implant.org/faqs/) [Ask a Dental Implant Expert](https://www.aaid-implant.org/faqs/) [Read More](https://www.aaid-implant.org/faqs/) [LifeSmiles ![News](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/hubfs/AAID_March2018%20Theme/images/Story_LifeSmiles-3_300x300.jpg)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/) [Read More](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/) ### American Academy of Implant Dentistry [www.aaid.com](http://www.aaid.com) 300 S. 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