ABO Certified Orthodontist in Santa Monica

All orthodontists need to be licensed, but at this time only 1 in 3 orthodontists have board certification. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification is a voluntary process that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to clinical excellence.

What Steps Must an Orthodontist Complete to Become Certified by the ABO?

The steps to become certified adjust periodically based on the needs of the specialty. Today, an applicant must complete:

• A written examination that covers all the areas of information in which orthodontists must be knowledgeable.
• A clinical examination in which the applicant presents six detailed case reports to a panel of examiners.
• An oral examination in which the panel discusses the presented cases and tests the applicant on a range of clinical and academic topics.

After these examination processes are successfully completed, the orthodontist is board certified. Certification expires after 10 years, so to maintain certification status, the orthodontist must continually demonstrate the expected level of patient care.

Are There Multiple Certifying Boards in the Specialty of Orthodontics Recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA)?

No. Only one board is recognized – the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO).

Founded in 1929, the ABO is the oldest dental specialty board. Its purpose is to improve and advance the quality of orthodontic care through excellence. The ABO offers education, certification, and professional collaboration to continuously provide outstanding patient outcomes.

Why Do Orthodontists Choose to Complete the Extra Work Required for Certification If It’s Voluntary?

An orthodontist who successfully completes the examination process has proven their dedication to becoming a quality orthodontist in the U.S. This accomplishment demonstrates outstanding commitment to the very best that orthodontics has to offer and provides an easy way to prove that a provider has exceptional knowledge and skills.

This accomplishment also demonstrates provider commitment to ongoing study and staying on top of the constantly evolving practice of orthodontics and the discoveries and advances that occur practically every day, as well as the commitment to consistently deliver excellent care to their patients.

For many orthodontists, board certification demonstrates their dedication to the field of orthodontics and the highest possible level of personal achievement.