A Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology is a periodontist who has made significant achievement beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty.
Certification as a dentist, including basic college education and completion of four years of dental school to earn the DDS or DMD degree and;
Certification as a periodontist after at least two years of postdoctoral study in an approved program. This period of study is concentrated on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of periodontal disease.
At least five years of actual experience in the clinical practice of periodontics.
Comprehensive oral and written examinations covering all phases of periodontal disease and its treatment, including relevant biomedical subjects.
Presentation of detailed reports on a broad range of actual treatment provided personally by the candidate.
American Board of Periodontology
4157 Mountain Road PBN 249
Pasadena, Maryland 21122
Web address
The in-depth self-evaluation that goes into the years of preparation for Board certification is a voluntary effort in continusing education. It applies earlier academic work to the reality of patients care, culminating in presentation of the results for critical review by a panel of nationally respected peers.
The significance of Board certification lies beyond achieving the approval of that panel of experts. It lies also in the inner motivation for continual professional development and in the knowledge and skills that are gained from the ongoing critical review of the results of one's own efforts.
The American Board of Periodontology was founded in 1939. It is the only certifying board in the dental specialty of periodontics.