Board Certification

American Board of Orthodontics Certification

The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), formed in 1929, remains the most reputable specialty board in dentistry. The major goal of the ABO is to lift standards in the practice of orthodontia, to let the public know of its ideals and aims, and to ensure that the public does not fall into the hands of unqualified and irresponsible practitioners.

The four objectives upheld by the Board as supported by its mission are:

1. To test the clinical skills and knowledge of graduates of accredited orthodontic programs through the conduct of exams and issuance of certificates that are time limited.
2. Re-evaluating clinical skills and knowledge by administering recertification examinations through the course of a Diplomate’s career.
3. To ensure that the best graduate, continuing education, and postgraduate programs in orthodontics are developed.
4. To encourage and promote expertise in certification all over the world.

Becoming Board Certified

To get a board certification, an orthodontist will have to pass some tough clinical and written exams, and their credentials will be thoroughly reviewed. The initial process in obtaining a board certification can take between five to ten years. After obtaining the certification, the orthodontist still has to scale through recertification every decade to maintain the certification.

Being board certified – what does it mean?

An orthodontist with a board certification is also referred to as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and has voluntarily undergone examinations by peers on the fundamentals of clinical skills and knowledge. Getting a board certification shows that the orthodontist is committed to achieving excellence in orthodontics.