Board
Certification

What is Board Certification?

This represents the ultimate testament to your surgeon’s qualifications. It is a significant step in the assessment of your surgeon's knowledge, training, and competence.

Education

Your board-certified oral and maxillo-facial surgeon has graduated from an accredited dental school and is licensed in the state he/she practices in. In addition, this individual has completed an oral and maxillo-facial surgery residency program approved by the American 

Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation

The American Board of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery is recognized by the American Dental Association as the specialty board for oral and maxillo-facial surgery. The Board is responsible for reviewing all applicants for board certification and administering the examinations involved in the certification process.

During his/her oral and maxillo-facial surgery residency, your board-certified oral and maxillo-facial surgeon received graduate training in other disciplines such as general surgery, plastic surgery, medicine, anesthesia, and pathology. Oral and maxillo-facial surgeons are trained to treat patients in hospitals, outpatient facilities, surgery centers, and private offices.

Certification

To become board-certified, an individual must complete an intensive application and examination process. Applicants for board certification in oral and maxillo-facial surgery must provide verified written evidence of their educational and training qualifications. In addition, these individuals must provide evidence of their experience in all aspects of oral and maxillo-facial surgery. Letters of recommendation from board-certified oral and maxillo-facial surgeons attesting to an applicant’s acceptable ethical and moral standing in the profession and community are also required as part of the certification procedure. All candidates for board certification are reviewed by the Board’s Credentials Committee.

Continued Competence

Finally, your board-certified oral and maxillo-facial surgeon was required to pass both a rigorous written and oral examination to be certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Diplomates are encouraged to maintain current competence through ongoing continuing education.

Diplomates are recertified in current competency every ten years by a comprehensive written examination.

Continuing professional education is an important tool for keeping Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgeons current on new developments in the field. This is accomplished through national meetings, seminars, lectures, special courses, panels, symposia, and self-study. The Board Certified Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgeon has demonstrated a commitment to continued professional development. The American Board of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery encourages its diplomates to continue their professional development through various educational experiences.