--- title: LifeSmiles | Bernee Dunson, DDS, FAAID, DABOI/ID description: Dr. Bernee Dunson, FAAID, DABOI/ID is the sitting president of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). He received a biology degree from Morehouse College in 1987 and he received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1991. He is the Director of the AAID Washington D.C. MaxiCourse program where he teaches a hands-on learning Implant Surgical Series. Dr. Dunson lectures nationally and internationally on restorative implant dentistry, while continuing to publish articles in dental journals. He maintains his own practices as an implant, restorative and cosmetic dentist in Atlanta, Georgia and Stone Mountain, Georgia. --- [![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/bernee-dunson-dds-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 ## [Will My Dental Implant Procedure Be Painful?](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/dental-implant-pain) March 11, 2020 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/hubfs/frank-busch-g7uPG8w1XV8-unsplash.jpg)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/dental-implant-pain) Are you considering dental implants, but concerned that it will hurt? This is a common fear among individuals who are looking to replace one or more teeth. Rest assured, when you choose a qualified dentist, dental implants are the closest replacement to healthy, natural teeth with a high success rate and minimal discomfort reported by patients. While every patient’s experience will be different, here are the answers to the most common questions people ask when concerned about pain associated with dental implants: [Read More](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/dental-implant-pain) 10 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/dental-implant-pain#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), [dental implant process](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-implant-process), [what to know about implants](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/what-to-know-about-implants) ## [What to Expect At Your Initial Dental Implant Consultation](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/what-expect-initial-consultation) January 23, 2020 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Dental Implant Consultation - American Academy of Implant Dentistry](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/hubfs/shutterstock_609194252.jpg)](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/what-expect-initial-consultation) When considering dental implants, people often have a mixture of emotions when deciding to set up an initial meeting with a dentist. It’s very common to feel nervous and research a lot of [dental implant questions](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/dont-let-dental-anxiety-prevent-you-from-improving-your-smile) to determine if this is the best solution for tooth loss replacement. There are great resources about [what to expect when getting dental implants](https://www.aaid-implant.org/dental-implants/what-to-expect/), and it can be especially reassuring to know what will occur at the initial consultation. Although every dentist will deliver a slightly different experience, this post covers an overview of what you can expect at your first appointment and steps you should take to ensure you are choosing the best dental implant expert for the procedure. [Read More](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/what-expect-initial-consultation) 12 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/what-expect-initial-consultation#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), [dental implant process](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/dental-implant-process), [what to know about implants](https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/tag/what-to-know-about-implants) [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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