About Board Certified Orthodontist
Are all orthodontists Board Certified?
No. All orthodontists must be licensed to practice, however board certification, a credential that reflects an orthodontist’s commitment to high standards of specialty care and lifelong learning, is a voluntary achievement that not all orthodontists pursue.
In order to become board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), an individual orthodontist is thoroughly evaluated to demonstrate their orthodontic knowledge, clinical skills and judgment. The ABO certification process signifies a unique achievement—a significant step beyond the two to three years of advanced education required for a dentist to become a specialist in orthodontics.
How many certifying boards does the National Commission recognize for Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics?
One. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is the only certifying board in the specialty that is recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards as the national certifying board for Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. The ABO was founded in 1929 and is the oldest specialty board in dentistry. The board’s purpose is to elevate the quality of orthodontic care for the public by promoting excellence through certification, education and professional collaboration.
Why would an orthodontist choose to complete this voluntary certification process?
Successful completion of the examination process demonstrates the orthodontist’s personal commitment to excellence in orthodontics – to both the orthodontic profession and the general public. It exemplifies a practitioner’s commitment to continue to keep abreast of the latest advances in patient care, and to continue to deliver these latest advances to patients. Many orthodontists see it as a demonstration of their dedication to the specialty and the highest level of personal achievement.
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