Board Certified Orthodontist in Downey, CA
Are All Orthodontists Board Certified?
No. All orthodontists must be licensed to practice, but at this time only 1 in 3 orthodontists have continued on to become a board certified orthodontist. The American Board of Orthodontics (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.
The process requires the orthodontist to:
Demonstrate actual accomplishments in patient care with detailed case reports on the treatment provided for a broad range of patient problems.
Pursue board certification voluntarily, as a voluntary achievement that all orthodontists do not choose to pursue.
Be thoroughly interviewed by a highly respected panel of examiners to demonstrate their orthodontic knowledge, clinical skills and judgment.
How Many Certifying Boards are Recognized by the American Dental Association in the Specialty of Orthodontics?
One. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is the only certifying board in the specialty that is recognized by the American Dental Association. 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.
Promote excellence through certification.
Encourage education and professional collaboration.
Why Would an Orthodontist Choose to Complete this Voluntary Certification Process?
Successful completion of the examination process by Dr. Vahid Babaeian demonstrates the orthodontist’s highest commitment to excellence in orthodontics – to both the orthodontic profession and the general public.
It represents:
A commitment by a licensed specialist that he/she has the necessary knowledge base and skills to treat patients to the highest of standards.
A practitioner’s commitment to continue to keep abreast of the latest advances in patient care.
A commitment to continue to deliver these latest advances to patients.
A demonstration of their dedication to the specialty and the highest level of personal achievement.
Many orthodontists see it as a demonstration of their dedication to the specialty and the highest level of personal achievement.
What Steps are Required to Complete the ABO Certification Process?
Since the establishment of the ABO in 1929, the certification process requirements have continued to adjust to the demands of the specialty.
Today, the process involves:
A thorough Written Examination (240 questions) covering all areas of information which an orthodontist should be knowledgeable.
Successful completion of this “board exam,” allowing the orthodontist to proceed to the Clinical Examination.
Presentation of detailed case reports from their practice/residency, demonstrating a history of excellence in patient care.
Evaluation of these cases by a panel of examiners.
An oral examination where the applicant is tested on a wide variety of academic and clinical topics.
Official achievement of Board Certification for a time-limited period after successful completion of these examinations.
Certification Renewal every 10 years to maintain their certification status by demonstrating this continued level of patient care.
For further information about The American Board of Orthodontics and Board Certified Orthodontists, click here.
