Board Certification

Board Certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) requires a verification of training in an accredited residency program, and successful completion of the Qualifying Examination and Oral Certifying Examinations. “A Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery” is exactly the same as being “Board Certified”.

Upon graduation an oral surgeon is qualified to practice. However, being board certified is a marker of a specialist who is recognized by his peers as having achieved the highest standards within the profession. This title is acquired with a great deal of dedication and hard work above and beyond the regular educational program of an oral surgeon.

The board certification process requires the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to undergo a series of requirements and examination in order to acquire board certification status. The first requirement is submission of cases covering a broad area of surgical expertise. The second hurdle is an intensive written examination and the third level is a lengthy oral examination. The status of “board certified” is evidence that the oral surgeon has met the highest requirements of competence within the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery.