Choosing a dentist for your family is a decision about trust. You want someone skilled, current, and honest about the care you actually need. One useful signal is the set of letters after a dentist’s name, because a few of them are genuinely hard to earn.
The right letters do not promise a perfect visit. They do tell you how far a dentist has gone to sharpen their skills and stay accountable to an outside standard.
Dr. Nicholas Ruana, a board-certified dentist in Colorado Springs at Pinnacle Dentistry, holds two of those rare credentials. He is board-certified through the American Board of General Dentistry, and he recently earned his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry.
This article explains what those credentials mean, why so few general dentists earn them, and how they change the care your family receives. You will also see how Dr. Ruana earned them through a demanding military training path.
The short version
Dr. Ruana is board-certified through the American Board of General Dentistry (ABGD) and holds a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD).
Both credentials are voluntary and sit far above the basic license every dentist must hold.
The Fellowship alone requires 500 hours of continuing education and a comprehensive exam, which is why few general dentists earn it.
For families, that means care that stays current, broader treatment under one roof, and a conservative, prevention-first approach.
He is accepting new patients at Pinnacle Dentistry in the Briargate area of Colorado Springs.
What “Board-Certified” and “AGD Fellowship” Actually Mean
Dental credentials can be confusing, so here is a plain explanation of the two that set Dr. Ruana apart from most general dentists.
Board Certification Through the ABGD
Board certification through the American Board of General Dentistry (ABGD) is a formal review of a dentist’s knowledge and clinical judgment. It reaches well beyond the license required to practice.
A board-certified general dentist has passed rigorous examination and shown skill across the full range of general dentistry. The credential tells patients that an independent board has verified that dentist’s competence.
Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD)
A Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) recognizes a dentist’s commitment to lifelong learning. The Academy awards it at a national convocation after years of study.
To earn it, a dentist completes 500 hours of continuing education and passes a comprehensive, day-long 200-question exam covering all of dentistry. Both credentials sit on top of a standard dental degree, not in place of it.
It helps to see how these fit together. Every practicing dentist holds a state license, which permits them to treat patients. Board certification and Fellowship are voluntary steps beyond that license, earned through added testing and study.
A dentist who holds both has chosen to be measured against a higher standard. You can read more about these dental credentials and what they involve. That choice is the clearest signal patients have that a provider values proof over marketing.
Why So Few General Dentists Earn These Credentials
Most dentists finish four years of dental school and begin practicing right away. The pull to start earning and supporting a family is strong, and extra training is both expensive and time-consuming.
Earning a Fellowship means fitting 500 hours of continuing education around a full clinical schedule. That often requires leaving the practice and traveling to courses, which means time away from patients and family alike.
Those 500 hours cannot be earned overnight. Spread across evenings, weekends, and travel, they often take years to finish while a dentist keeps a practice running. Many complete a handful of courses, then set the goal aside as work and life fill the calendar.
The 200-question Fellowship exam is broad and demanding, covering every area of dentistry in a single sitting. Board certification adds another layer of testing and clinical review on top of that.
Between the cost, the exams, and the hours, many capable dentists never pursue these honors. That is what makes the combination Dr. Ruana holds relatively uncommon among general dentists.
How Dr. Ruana Earned Them Through a Military Path
Dr. Ruana’s route to these credentials began with the Army. Military service funded his dental education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and sent him around the world early in his career.
For several years he treated soldiers with no pressure to sell treatment, which sharpened his focus on doing what was right for each patient. He then completed a two-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency, earning a Master of Oral Biology along the way.
His assignments spanned Fort Bragg in North Carolina, a tour in Italy, and postings in Hawaii and Kuwait. He later served as a Command Dentist and as an AEGD-1 Assistant Director, helping train the next generation of Army dentists.
During that residency he worked beside oral surgeons, periodontists, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, and endodontists. He learned how specialists think and gained hands-on repetitions in procedures many general dentists never perform.
The residency also gave him the time and support to complete the coursework and exams behind his board certification and Fellowship. He earned ABGD board certification in 2023 and received his FAGD Fellowship in 2026.
What These Credentials Mean for Your Family’s Care
Credentials matter only when they improve the care you receive. Here is how Dr. Ruana’s training shows up in the treatment room.
Care That Stays Current
A dentist’s knowledge can freeze at graduation if they stop learning. Continuing education keeps a provider up to date on the newest materials, tools, and techniques.
Because Fellowship requires ongoing coursework, patients receive treatment that reflects modern dentistry rather than decade-old methods. That often means more comfortable visits and more predictable results.
Newer materials can also mean stronger, better-looking restorations that last longer. That protects both your health and your investment over time.
Complex Cases Without the Runaround
Broader training means Dr. Ruana can diagnose and treat cases that many general offices send elsewhere. He can also explain complicated situations clearly and coordinate specialist care when it is truly needed.
Instead of hearing that nothing can be done, patients leave with a plan. That continuity keeps more of your family’s care in one trusted place in Colorado Springs.
A Second Opinion Worth Getting
Patients often visit Dr. Ruana after being told a tooth cannot be saved or that only one costly option exists. His broader training lets him look again and weigh alternatives a narrower practice might miss.
Sometimes the second look confirms the first plan, and sometimes it opens a more conservative path. Either way, families gain clarity before they commit to major treatment.
A Conservative, Prevention-First Philosophy
Dr. Ruana’s main focus is prevention and whole-body health. He prefers to catch small problems early, before they turn into larger and more expensive ones.
When treatment is necessary, he chooses the most conservative route, preserving natural teeth and healthy tissue whenever possible. He avoids unnecessary procedures and gives straight answers about what needs attention now.
That approach shows up in everyday decisions. If a small area of wear does not threaten a tooth, he may recommend watching it rather than drilling right away. If a filling can solve a problem another office would treat with a crown, he chooses the filling.
As a parent with a young family, he understands the pressure of a household budget. He will tell you honestly when a treatment can safely wait, which builds the trust families look for in a long-term dental home.
Advanced Dentistry Available in Colorado Springs
Dr. Ruana’s skill set covers far more than routine checkups. Families across Colorado Springs and the wider El Paso County can reach advanced care without long referrals across town.
His services include same-day crowns with Sirona CAD/CAM technology, dental implant placement, molar root canals, surgical extractions, and both oral and nitrous sedation. He also offers pediatric dentistry, which makes Pinnacle Dentistry a practical choice for the whole family.
Same-day crowns are a good example of that convenience. Using Sirona CAD/CAM technology, Dr. Ruana can design and place many crowns in a single visit, which spares patients a second appointment and a temporary crown. For busy families, fewer trips means less time away from work and school.
From a child’s first cleaning to a complex implant case, patients receive comprehensive care under one roof.
Why This Matters When You Are New to Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a city on the move. Military families, remote workers, and growing households arrive every year, and many need to find a dentist quickly.
Starting over with a new provider can feel like a gamble. Verified credentials take some of the guesswork out of that choice, because they show a dentist has been measured by an outside authority.
Dr. Ruana understands the transition firsthand. He moved his own family several times during his Army career before settling near the Briargate area, so he knows what it means to rebuild a routine in a new place.
For families relocating to the region, a board-certified dentist with a broad skill set offers a dependable starting point. One office can cover routine cleanings, children’s visits, and advanced treatment as needs change.
Booking an initial exam is a low-pressure way to begin. It gives you a chance to meet the team, ask questions, and decide whether the office feels right before any treatment starts.
What to Look for in a Family Dentist
Credentials are one piece of the picture. When you compare dentists in Colorado Springs, a few practical factors help you choose well.
Verified credentials: look for board certification or an AGD Fellowship, which show training beyond the basic license.
Ongoing education: a dentist who keeps learning stays current on safer, more comfortable techniques.
Range of services: a broad skill set means fewer outside referrals and more continuity of care.
Clear communication: the right dentist explains your options and respects your budget and time.
Family fit: one office that treats children and adults simplifies scheduling for busy households.
No single factor tells the whole story. A dentist with strong credentials but poor communication can still frustrate you, while a warm provider without advanced training may need to refer you out often. The best fit pairs proven skill with clear communication and a convenient location.
For a deeper checklist, see our guide with tips for choosing a dentist in Colorado Springs you can trust. Dr. Ruana meets each of these marks, which is why families searching for a new dental home find him a strong fit.
Common Questions About Dr. Ruana’s Credentials
What does board-certified mean for a dentist?
Board certification means an independent board has verified a dentist’s knowledge and clinical skill through rigorous testing. For a board-certified dentist in Colorado Springs like Dr. Ruana, it signals training and competence that reach beyond the basic license required to practice.
What is a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry?
An FAGD Fellowship recognizes a dentist who has completed 500 hours of continuing education and passed a 200-question exam covering all of dentistry. The Academy awards it at a national convocation, and it reflects a strong commitment to ongoing learning.
Why are these credentials considered rare?
These credentials are uncommon because they demand major time, money, and study on top of a full dental career. Many dentists never leave practice to complete the hundreds of course hours and exams involved, which makes holding both certification and Fellowship unusual.
Is Dr. Ruana accepting new patients?
Yes. Dr. Ruana is welcoming new patients at Pinnacle Dentistry in Colorado Springs. He sees children, teens, and adults for routine care, and he offers advanced restorative and surgical treatment. You can schedule an initial exam online or by phone.
Does Dr. Ruana treat children?
Yes. Dr. Ruana provides pediatric dentistry and gentle care for young patients. As a parent himself, he understands family needs and focuses on prevention, which makes him a strong fit for families seeking a single dental home in Colorado Springs.
What advanced services does Dr. Ruana offer?
Dr. Ruana offers same-day CAD/CAM crowns, dental implants, ridge preservation, bone augmentation, molar root canals, surgical extractions, crown lengthening, and oral or nitrous sedation. This range lets him handle many complex cases without sending patients to outside specialists.
How is a board-certified dentist different from a regular dentist?
A board-certified dentist has passed voluntary examination beyond the standard license every dentist holds. That process verifies broad clinical skill and current knowledge. Any dentist may be excellent, but board certification gives patients independent proof of that ability rather than a claim alone.
Schedule With a Board-Certified Dentist in Colorado Springs
Investing in your family’s smiles means choosing dental care that stands the test of time. At Pinnacle Dentistry, we are proud to offer a rare combination of advanced clinical credentials, cutting-edge biomimetic technology, and a warm, personalized approach to oral health. Dr. Ruana and our entire team are dedicated to helping our patients in Colorado Springs, CO, maintain their natural teeth in a comfortable, stress-free environment.
Whether you are due for a routine cleaning, interested in conservative cosmetic enhancements, or looking to restore a damaged tooth with advanced biomimetic bonding, we are here to support you every step of the way. Discover why so many local families trust us with their smiles by reading about why choose us.
Ready to experience the difference that advanced, conservative dental care can make for your family? Pinnacle Dentistry is accepting new patients, and our team is ready to welcome you. Please visit our website to request an appointment today.
