Merit-based recognition
MSD Recognized
An annual recognition program for dental specialists who demonstrate clinical excellence through peer standing, verified credentials, and documented patient outcomes. Free to earn. Never purchased.
MSD Recognized is not a marketing award. It is a credential-verified, peer-validated distinction that patients and referring providers can trust because it cannot be bought.
Two Paths to Recognition
Specialists earn MSD Recognized status through peer nomination, published case studies, or both. Each path is free, merit-based, and independently verified.
Peer Nomination
The professionals who know specialty dentistry best are other specialists. Claimed providers on MSD can nominate up to 3 colleagues in different specialties who they would refer their own patients to. Cross-specialty nominations only, to prevent self-selection bias.
How it works
- 1Claim your profile on MSD (free, takes 2 minutes)
- 2Nominate up to 3 specialists in other specialties you trust with your own referrals
- 3We verify each nominee's board certification, active license, and practice status
- 4Specialists who meet the nomination threshold and credential check earn MSD Recognized status
Cross-specialty only. An orthodontist nominates a periodontist. A prosthodontist nominates an oral surgeon. This design ensures nominations reflect genuine clinical trust, not competitive positioning.
Published Case Studies
Demonstrate your clinical outcomes by publishing documented case studies through MSD. Each case study will show real results, build patient confidence, and earn your practice a backlink citation to your website.
How it will work
- 1Submit before-and-after photos, background information, and the treatment process
- 2All patient identifying information is stripped. Your name and NPI are overlaid on every image
- 3We produce the case study using our documented editorial process for consistency and quality
- 4Your published case study earns a citation linking back to your practice website
Case study submissions are opening soon. Claim your profile now to be notified when this feature launches.
What Patients See
When a specialist earns MSD Recognized status, their profile displays the recognition badge. Patients searching for a specialist can see that this provider was nominated by peers, has published clinical case studies, or both.
For patients, this answers a question that reviews alone cannot: Would other specialists send their own patients to this provider? That is a fundamentally different signal than a star rating. It reflects clinical trust, not customer satisfaction alone.
Case studies add another layer. They let patients see documented outcomes for real cases. Before-and-after photos, treatment rationale, and clinical context help patients understand what to expect and evaluate a provider's experience with their specific condition.
What This Is Not
MSD Recognized is not a paid placement, advertising program, or pay-to-play ranking. Specialists cannot purchase, sponsor, or negotiate their way to recognition. There is no fee to participate, no fee to maintain the status, and no premium tier that unlocks additional visibility.
It is also not a "best of" list based on subjective editorial selection. The criteria are transparent: peer nominations from verified specialists, credential verification against public records, and optionally, published case studies documenting clinical outcomes.
The model is closer to Super Lawyers (peer-nominated, credential- verified) than to "Top Dentist" lists that are often self-nominated or paid.
For dental specialists
Get Started
Your profile is already live on MSD with NPI-verified data. Claim it in 2 minutes to control what patients see. Once claimed, you can nominate peers and submit case studies.
Every action is free. Visibility is determined by your credentials and contributions, not your ad budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does MSD Recognized cost anything?
- No. There is no fee to earn, maintain, or display MSD Recognized status. It is entirely merit-based.
- Can I nominate a specialist in my own specialty?
- No. Nominations are cross-specialty only. An endodontist nominates a periodontist, not another endodontist. This prevents competitive self-selection and ensures nominations reflect genuine referral trust.
- How many nominations does a specialist need?
- The threshold is reviewed annually and depends on the number of active nominators in the region and specialty. We do not publish exact thresholds to prevent gaming.
- What happens to patient information in case studies?
- All personally identifiable information is removed before publication. Patients must provide written consent. Images are watermarked with the treating provider's name and NPI number for attribution.
- Do I get a backlink from my case study?
- Yes. Each published case study includes a citation linking back to your practice website. This provides both patient referral value and SEO benefit.
- Can MSD Recognized status be revoked?
- Yes. If a specialist's license is suspended, board certification lapses, or disciplinary action is taken, MSD Recognized status is removed. The program is re-verified annually.
- How is this different from "Top Dentist" lists?
- Most "Top Dentist" lists are self-nominated, editorially selected, or paid. MSD Recognized is peer-nominated by other verified specialists and independently credential-checked. No specialist can purchase or negotiate their way to recognition.