Being a Board Certified Orthodontist
As a Board Certified Orthodontist, Dr. Carlin Weaver is committed to the highest level of excellence for your smile. Read on to learn how she achieved this certification and how it benefits your care here at Weaver Orthodontics!
What is the difference between a Board Certified orthodontist and an orthodontist?
An orthodontist does not need to be board-certified to practice. Orthodontists only need to be licensed in the state they are practicing in. Board certification is a voluntary credential and takes many additional hours of studying and practicing skills, helping to provide the highest level of orthodontic care possible.
American Board of Orthodontists
Board-certified orthodontists are certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), the global leader in orthodontic board certification. ABO is partnered with the American Association of Orthodontists and is recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards as the national certifying board for Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
They set the standards for the highest level of patient care and promote excellence in orthodontics for all certified orthodontists through certification, education, and professional collaboration. By achieving certification, orthodontists demonstrate their commitment to lifelong learning and excellent care. To become Board Certified, an orthodontist must successfully complete the written examination and clinical examination.
Written Examination
The Written Examination is administered in April every year and assesses the examinee’s knowledge of basic sciences and clinical concepts based on criterion-referenced testing. The 240 multiple-choice questions within the exam are split into four modules:
Module 1: Basic and Applied Biomedical Sciences covers topics including Anatomical Sciences, Biochemistry, Physiology, Developmental Anatomy, Microbiology, Immunology, Infection Control, Pathology, and more.
Module 2: Clinical Sciences “A” covers topics including Occlusion, Radiography, Cephalometrics, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Risk Management, Ethics, Preventative Dentistry, Oral Hygiene, Behavioral Science, Patient Management, Speech Pathology, Orthodontic History, and more.
Module 3: Clinical Science “B” covers topics including Orthodontic Materials, Orthodontic Techniques and Appliances, Orthopedics, Biomechanics, Orthodontic Diagnosis, Case Analysis, Treatment Planning, Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Periodontics, Endodontics, Restorative Dentistry, Implantology, and more.
Module 4: Clinical Case Analysis covers topics including Orthodontic Materials, Physical Principles, and Orthodontic Techniques and Appliances
To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have either graduated or currently be enrolled in an advanced specialty education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics in the U.S. or Canada, accredited by the CODA. An orthodontic resident must have completed at least 18 months of their program by the exam date to be eligible.
Clinical Examination
After passing the Written Examination, orthodontic professionals register for the Clinical Examination.
This exam is scenario-based and is designed to objectively evaluate the orthodontist’s knowledge, abilities, and critical thinking skills. The scenarios and questions used in the exam are developed in collaboration with program directors and chairs, examiners, industry leaders, and the ABO Board of Directors. Each examination will be comprised of scenarios from each of the following four domains:
Data Gathering and Diagnosis
Treatment Objectives and Planning
Treatment Implementation and Management
Critical Analysis and Outcomes Assessment
Examinees will be exposed to several patient cases and questioned on a variety of information in each scenario. Each of these is scored by different examiners.
Certification Renewal
Once an orthodontist passes both the written and clinical examinations, they are awarded a certificate. This certification is time-limited and must be renewed every ten years. By the end of this period, the Board Certified orthodontist must take the appropriate renewal examination to remain board-certified.
Through intense examinations and certification renewals, Board Certified orthodontists like Dr. Weaver have made a commitment to life-long learning to provide the best care possible to patients like you! Dr. Weaver stays up to date on the latest and greatest technology and looks forward to welcoming you into the Weaver Orthodontics office. Contact us today to book your next appointment.
