Dr. John M. Highsmith, DDS | Cosmetic Dentist | Asheville | Canton

"A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, leaving others to determine if he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both."

Francois Rene Auguste Chateaubriand

John M. Highsmith, DDS, DICOI, AAACD

Dr John M Highsmith, DDS | Cosmetic Dentist | Asheville

Dr. John Highsmith is a Phi Beta Kappa and Salutatorian graduate of Davidson College. He earned his dental degree from the University of North Carolina (go Heels!). Following a residency at the VA Medical Center in Baltimore, he pursued additional training in dental implants and cosmetic dentistry.

Dr. Highsmith is a Diplomate of The International Congress of Oral Implantologists, (ICOI) and is a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the American College of Oral Implantology, and is an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (there are currently only four other accredited dentists in North Carolina). He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Western NC Dental Society, and the NC Dental Society. He is also a fellow in the Misch Implant Institute. Dr. Highsmith has taken many continuing education courses at LVI, the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Education. Actually, there is only one dentist in North Carolina who has taken more courses at LVI! In 2006, Dr. Highsmith is a clinical instructor at LVI, helping other dentists in the cutting edge techniques for cosmetic and functional dentistry.

Although the minimum hours of continuing education to maintain a North Carolina Dental License is only 15 hours a year, Dr. Highsmith regularly takes 200 to 250 hours a year, keeping up with the latest cutting edge techniques and advancements in dentistry, to ensure you the very best for your smile, bite, and oral health.

Dr. Highsmith currently serves on the board for NCCAT (North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching), the Haywood Rotary Club, and the Haywood County Schools Foundation. Dr. Highsmith has served Haywood Arts Repertory Theater as Board Member and President, and has appeared 'on the boards,' acting in nine productions. Past President of Haywood Rotary, John served on the Advisory Panel for the Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Departments at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Previous board memberships include Haywood Animal Welfare Association, The United Way, and Haywood Regional Medical Center's Foundation. He is a graduate of UNC-A's Leadership Haywood program.

Passions include dentistry (see above), photography, sculpture and jewelry making, soccer, and scuba-diving. He and wife Sandra Hayes are happily raising Mark and Becky, which is certainly the most challenging, engaging, and fulfilling job possible.

Dr. John Highsmith is an Accredited Member in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), and is one of 243 dentists in the world who have earned this prestigious designation. There are only 5 Accredited members in North Carolina, with the next closest in Charlotte.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is the largest international dental organization committed to excellence in cosmetic dentistry. Founded in 1984, the AACD has over 7,600 members in more than 60 countries worldwide. Members of the Academy include cosmetic and reconstructive dentists, dental laboratory technicians, dental hygienists, dental assistants, educators, researchers and students.

Through the AACD’s advanced credentialing program for dentists and dental laboratory technicians, AACD members who wish to become Accredited must undergo a three-part process consisting of a written examination, submission of clinical cases for evaluation and an oral examination. Each candidate must also attend a series of workshops as part of the program. While each part must be completed in sequence, candidates have up to five years to complete the program after successfully completing the written examination.

Dr. Highsmith has reached the highest level of credentialing with the ICOI, the rank of Diplomate. A written examination and submission of completed cases is required for this level of certification. There are currently only five dentists in the world with both the AACD accreditation and ICOI Diplomate status.

The ICOI is the world’s largest organization devoted to excellence in implant dentistry. There are over 6000 members worldwide. Through their educational offerings and credentialing process, the ICOI serves to set the standard of excellence in all phases of implant dentistry, from surgery to prosthetics.

More information can be found at www.ICOI.org

Located in Summerlin, Nevada, the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) is the world's premier post-graduate dental teaching center. At the 62,000 square foot training campus, LVI trains dentists to take into account your unique concerns, hopes and dreams to create the perfect smile for you!

More than 3,000 dentists worldwide have received post-graduate training at LVI. Most people do not know that advanced, comprehensive cosmetic dentistry is not taught in most dental schools. That is where LVI has stepped in to train dentists the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques.

LVI trains dentists in the most up to date clinical procedures. LVI educates, guides and supports dentists in the delivery of advanced cosmetic dentistry care.

Starting in 2006, Dr. Highsmith will be a clinical instructor at LVI, where he will help train other dentists in cosmetic and neuromuscular treatment.

More information can be found at

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