What is a Diplomate?

A Diplomate is a periodontist who has successfully completed a rigorous examination process and is certified by the American Board of Periodontology.

What does it mean to be a Diplomate?

A Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology is a periodontist who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty.

To be educationally qualified for Board certification requires:

• Completion of a dental degree (DDS or DMD)

• The candidate must then successfully complete an additional 3 or more years in an educational program in periodontology which is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The period of study concentrates on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, regeneration of supporting tissues of the teeth and their substitutes and maintenance of health, function and esthetics.

In addition to the basic educational requirements, Board certification requires:

• Comprehensive oral and written examinations covering all phases of periodontal disease and its treatment, including dental implants;

• Recertification of continued competency in periodontics through continuing education and participation in self-study programs.

What does this mean to you as a patient?

Your periodontist has been examined voluntarily by a panel of internationally respected peers and awarded Diplomate status;

Your periodontist has received one of the highest recognitions of achievement afforded by the specialty; .

By successfully completing the examination process, your periodontist has demonstrated motivation for:

• Continued professional development;

• Self evaluation;

• Critical review of results of therapy;

• Interest in providing the best, most up-to-date periodontal care possible.

What is the American Board of Periodontology?

The American Board of Periodontology was founded in 1939 to elevate the standards and advance the science and art of periodontology. It is officially the oldest ADA recognized specialty board and is the only national certifying board in the dental specialty of periodontics.

For over seventy years, the Board has served the public and the profession by:

• Creating and administering a certification process to identify experts in the field of periodontics;

• Creating and administering a recertification process to maintain expertise;

• Granting and issuing Diplomate certificates to experts;

• Furnishing a list of Board Certified Diplomates to patients, insurance companies and hospital administrators on request.