ABO Certification
American Board of Orthodontics Doctor Certification
The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is a highly-regarded and respected specialty board in dentistry. The ABO was founded in 1929 with the mission of raising the standards of orthodontics, educating the public on the objectives of orthodontics, and providing layer protection against sub-par practitioners.
The Board upholds four main objectives supported by its mission:
- Provide constant evaluation of graduates of accredited orthodontic programs by providing exams and granting time-limited certificates
- Provide recertification exams throughout a Diplomate’s career to continue evaluating their clinical knowledge and skills in orthodontics
- Encourage the development of high-quality graduate, postgraduate, and continuing education programs in orthodontics.
- Cultivate and evaluate expertise around the world through certification programs
Becoming Board Certified
To achieve board-certified status, an orthodontist must submit a highly-detailed and difficult written and clinical exam. The orthodontist must all pass a peer review of their credentials. Achieving board-certified status can take five to ten years. And once an orthodontist is certified, the orthodontist must apply for recertification every ten years to keep their status.
What does it mean to be board certified?
A Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists is another way to name the honor of being a board-certified orthodontist. A board-certified orthodontist submits to a peer review voluntarily where their knowledge and clinical skills are evaluated. Seeking board-certified status is indicative that the doctor is proficient and wants to continue to pursue excellence in orthodontics.