I have been feverishly studying and preparing for a big exam coming up later this week. I will be sitting for the Oral Clinical Examination with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) in a few days in Dallas. The oral exam is the second in a two part examination process to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry or a “Board Certified” pediatric dentist.
I think it’s important for parents and other stakeholders in children’s health to understand what the term board certified means as it relates pediatric dentistry. After dental school, a small percentage (roughly 20%) of dentists go on to receive advanced specialty training in one of the nine specialty areas recognized by the American Dental Association. An even smaller percentage of dentists go on to receive board certification.
I have chosen to participate in the board certification process because I see it as an opportunity to demonstrate two things to my children, my patients’ parents and to the public. First, becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry is the highest honor one can achieve after completing advanced training in pediatric dentistry. Secondly, I wanted to demonstrate that I am committed to and am proficient in and maintaining the highest standard of care possible.
In dentistry, it is not mandatory for specialists to become board certified. According to the ABPD, around 60% of pediatric dentists are board certified. Board certification is a completely voluntary process, with a great deal of time and expense associated. There are many pediatric dentists that may opt out of the board certification process for many different reasons.
What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and other dentists (family dentist, general dentist, and etc.)?
A Pediatric Dentist is a formally recognized specialist in dentistry that focuses on the oral health and unique needs of young people. After completing a four-year dental school curriculum, two to three additional years of rigorous training are required to become a pediatric dentist. This specialized program of study and hands-on experience prepares pediatric dentists to meet the unique needs of your infants, children and adolescents, including persons with special health care needs.
What is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist?
A pediatric dentist that is board certified has gone through a rigorous examination process with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Only dentists that have completed a residency in pediatric dentistry can sit for the two part board certification examinations. Board certification tests the knowledge and problem-solving abilities of a pediatric dentist.
What does it mean to be Certified by American Board of Pediatric Dentistry?
Not all pediatric dentists are certified by American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD). The ABPD certifies pediatric dentists based on standards of excellence that lead to high quality oral health care for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special health care needs. Certification by the ABPD provides assurance to the public that a pediatric dentist has successfully completed accredited training and a voluntary 2-part examination process designed to continually validate the knowledge, skills, and experience requisite to the delivery of quality patient care.
A pediatric dentist certified by ABPD is also known as a Diplomate of American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
What does the board certification process look like for a pediatric dentist?
Here is a brief overview of what the board certification process for a pediatric dentist. For any board certifiable dental specialty, the certification process usually takes places in two steps over a couple of years. The board candidate must sit for a written or what the ABPD calls the qualifying exam (QE). Once the candidate has successfully completed the QE they are eligible and can apply to take the oral clinical exam (OCE). Unlike most dental specialties where the board permits the candidate to select and submit their own cases for the OCE, the ABPD selects eight cases upon which the candidate will be examined. Both the QE and OCE are given once a year. Per the ABPD the purpose of the QE is to provide evidence toward validation of the candidate’s advanced training in pediatric dentistry. Additionally, the ABPD says the purpose of the OCE is to enable the candidate to demonstrate proficiency in diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical care.
If the candidate successfully completes both steps they become Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and are board certified. In order to maintain board certification status the doctor must pass a written exam every ten years. The ideal time frame to have this completed is within five years of completing their advanced specialty training.
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