American Board of Orthdontics
Are all orthodontists board certified? No, and actually, many dental professionals doing orthodontics are not even certified orthodontists, which makes this lifetime designation all the more critical when you’re choosing a doctor to care for your smile.
Dr. Willes’s undergraduate degree, four years of dental school, and additional two-and-a-half years of orthodontic specialty training at UCLA, as well as his subsequent designation as a lifetime ABO Diplomate mean that you can be certain you’re getting the best of the best when it comes to orthodontic care.
American Board of Orthodontics Doctor Certification
The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) was founded in 1929. It is the oldest and most prestigious specialty board in dentistry. The ABO’s aim is to elevate the standards of the practice of orthodontia, to familiarize the public with its aim and ideals, and to protect the public against irresponsible and unqualified practitioners.
The board upholds four main objectives supported by its mission:
- To evaluate the knowledge and clinical skills of graduates of accredited orthodontic programs by conducting exams and conferring certificates
- To evaluate clinical knowledge and skills through through qualified case presentations by the certifying doctor, and the board’s administration of rigorous certification exams
- To support the development of quality graduate, postgraduate, and continuing education programs in orthodontics
- To promote and encourage certification expertise throughout the world
Becoming Board Certified
To become board certified, an orthodontist has to present numerous completed cases demonstrating orthodontic excellence and pass a rigorous set of written and clinical examinations, as well as a comprehensive review of his or her credentials. The initial process of becoming board certified can take anywhere from five to ten years.
What does it mean to be board certified?
A board-certified orthodontist, also known as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, has been voluntarily examined by his or her peers on the basis of knowledge and clinical skills. Becoming board certified recognizes Dr. Willes' pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence in orthodontics.
