Behind the “D.D.S.”

Education

Cognitive care takes considerable time and effort at every step, from education through application. It takes a continuum of knowledge and experience.

In the marketplace full of practitioners and advertising ploys, it is important to look for that continuum of knowledge and application when choosing someone to provide orthodontic care. Education and training do play an important role in qualifying a specialist.

Here’s a quick lesson in deciphering the degrees and strings of letters found behind a dentist’s name:

To become a dentist (DDS or DMD), one must complete a basic college education and four years of dental school.

To become an orthodontist, one must follow the general dental education with at least two more years of post-doctoral study in an approved orthodontic course leading to a certificate or a master’s degree. The advanced courses in orthodontics concentrate on the diagnosis, prevention and correction of dental irregularities and facial malformations in children and adults, using all types of orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatment.

Board Certification

To become a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics (also known as a Board Certified Orthodontist), the orthodontist must complete an extensive examination. The first phase requires completion of a comprehensive written examination covering all phases of orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic care.

The final examination requires the candidate to demonstrate actual accomplishment in patient care, with detailed reports on the treatment provided for a broad range of patient problems. Preparation for this phase usually requires at least five years to complete the treatment and follow-up on the different types of conditions required by the Board. Each detailed case report must be completely documented with x-ray films, photographs, and plaster casts made before and after treatment. Those records are studied by Directors of the American Board of Orthodontics, who then complete the examination process with a penetrating oral examination based on those reports and other aspects of patient care.

The significance of board certification goes far beyond achieving the approval of the Board. The greatest benefits come from the in-depth self-evaluation that goes into years of preparation for board certification.