Fellowship in the Academy is by nomination by professional leaders and was designed to be itself an accolade to past accomplishment and an encouragement to future productivity. Contributions to dental literature, service to the profession of dentistry, and service to the general community, thereby bringing credit to dentistry, were among the criteria sought in recruiting new members. The Academy has itself had a publication program, notably through Dental World, and has always encouraged its fellow members to contribute to dental education and dental literature. Through its Foundation, it offers financial support to various dental projects and monetary grants to dental students.

The Pierre Fauchard Academy is currently comprised of 119 sections, 55 in the United States and another 64 in many parts of the world, including South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Worldwide, the membership is about 7,000.

It is an international organization that is comprised of over 7000 Fellows and is divided into 119 Sections that are found in 65 countries. Over 4000 fellows are in the United States, which is divided into 55 Sections.

The membership is made of dentists who have been judged to be among the most outstanding leaders in various fields of dentistry. Recommendations for Fellowship are by invitation only and must have the approval of the Chairperson of that Section in which the candidate resides or practices.

The Academy is a non profit corporation that is named after the "Father of Modern Dentistry", Pierre Fauchard of France (1678-1761), who was credited with raising dentistry to a profession. He wrote a book named le Chirurgien Dentiste ou Traite des Dents which was the first true textbook of dentistry.

The role of the Academy includes honoring outstanding leaders with Fellowship, conferring various awards, mentoring, conducting a Hall of Fame and a large variety of voluntary service projects in dentistry.

The Academy's Foundation is the world’s largest international dental philanthropic organization. It funds scholarships to financially disadvantaged dental students and provides grants to service organizations that in turn, provide dental services to the poor, continuing education, faculty development and research. The Foundation is supported by donations and bequests. In fact, the main bulk of its assets are the result of the awarding of a very large bequest from a Fellow in Costa Rica. The Foundation Board now has a substantial record of successful administration with very low overhead. It is available to accept other donations from those who wish to have their funds directed toward dental philanthropy.

The Academy is administered by a Board of Trustees consisting of five Officers and ten Trustees from around the world. Section organization includes a Chairperson and such other officers or committee members as the Section may elect. The administrative office of the Academy is located in Las Vegas Nevada, U.S.A.