ABO Certification

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Dr. Divya Agarwal has successfully completed a voluntary, rigorous written and clinical examination process through The American Board of Orthodontics. ABO certification is recognized throughout the world as representing the highest level of commitment to orthodontic patient care.

Board certification requires hundreds of additional hours of preparation to test judgment and skill. All orthodontists must be licensed to practice, but ONLY 1 IN 3 ORTHODONTISTS IS BOARD CERTIFIED with the knowledge to demonstrate the highest quality of work.

Orthodontic treatment options and technology change rapidly, making it essential for orthodontists to keep abreast of the latest advances.

The American Board of Orthodontics is the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association and affiliated with the American Association of Orthodontists. The American Board of Orthodontics was established in 1929 as the third certifying board in the health professions and the first in dentistry.

Board certification is a voluntary process. It is intended to provide assurance to the public that an orthodontic specialist has successfully completed an accredited educational program, a written board examination, and an intensive evaluation process to assess the knowledge, skills, and clinical expertise required to provide the highest quality of patient care. Achieving board certification demonstrates the orthodontist’s pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence in orthodontics.

Are all orthodontists board certified?

No. All orthodontists must be licensed to practice, but at this time only 1 in 3 orthodontists has continued on to complete board certification. The 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. Board certification is a voluntary achievement that not all orthodontists choose to pursue. In order to become board certified by the ABO, an individual orthodontist is thoroughly interviewed by a highly respected panel of examiners to demonstrate 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 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 by promoting excellence through certification, education, and professional collaboration.

Why would an orthodontist choose to complete this voluntary certification process?

Successful completion of the examination process 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 or she has the necessary knowledge base and skills to treat patients to the highest of standards.

It exemplifies a practitioner’s commitment to continue to keep abreast of the latest advances in patient care, and to continue to deliver these latest advances to patients. Many orthodontists see it as a demonstration of their dedication to the specialty and the highest level of personal achievement.