ABO Certification
Dr. Marta Baird is a Board Certified Orthodontist. Only 1 in 3 orthodontists is board certified. Dr. Baird has taken those extra steps with hundreds of additional hours in preparation to be examined by the American Board of Orthodontics. A board certified orthodontist is a dentist who not only completed a graduate program to become a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), but has also gone through a accredited orthodontic program for an additional 2-3 years to be trained specifically in orthodontics. Then, to become board certified, an orthodontist has to pass a rigorous set of written and clinical examinations, as well as a comprehensive review of their credentials. The initial process of becoming board certified can take anywhere form five to ten years. Dr. Baird completed her board certification within 9 months of graduating from her orthodontic residency.
Achieving board certification is the last step in a long and intensive educational experience to ultimately provide excellent patient care.
Orthodontists are different from General Dentists in that they have completed 2-3 years of additional training after becoming dentists in order to specialize in orthodontics. Orthodontists understand the complexity of growth development and facial form. Although many dentists offer orthodontic treatment, they do not have the same extensive education required of an orthodontist.
A board certified orthodontist is committed to the highest level of patient care. Board certification requires hundreds of additional hours of preparation to test judgement, skill and knowledge to demonstrate the highest quality of work. Board certification is voluntary for orthodontists and shows a commitment to excellence.
American Board of Orthodontics Doctor Certification
The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) was founded in 1929. It is the oldest and most prestigious specialty board in dentistry. The ABO's aim is to elevate the standards of the practice of orthodontia, to familiarize the public with its aim and ideals, and to protect the public against irresponsible and unqualified practitioners.
The Board upholds four main objectives supported by its mission:
- To evaluate the knowledge and clinical skills of graduates of accredited orthodontic programs by conducting exams and conferring time-limited certificates
- To re-evaluate clinical knowledge and skills through administration of recertification exams throughout a Diplomate's career
- To support the development of quality graduate, postgraduate, and continuing education programs in orthodontics
- To promote and encourage certification expertise throughout the world
Becoming Board Certified
To become board certified, an orthodontist has to pass a rigorous set of written and clinical examinations, as well as a comprehensive review of his or her credentials. The initial process of becoming board certified can take anywhere from five to ten years. Once certified, the orthodontist must become recertified every ten years to maintain board-certified status.
What does it mean to be board certified?
A board-certified orthodontist, also known as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, has been voluntarily examined by his or her peers on the basis of knowledge and clinical skills. Becoming board certified signifies the orthodontist's pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence in orthodontics.