Board Certification in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

“BOARD CERTIFIED”
The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) is the only certifying board for the specialty of oral surgery that is recognized by the American Dental Association.  To be “Board Certified” means that an oral & maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) has undergone a rigorous peer evaluated certification process and demonstrated that they possess the proper knowledge, experience, training, and professionalism to practice oral surgery to the optimal standards of the specialty.  It is an important process that strives to ensure patients will receive the best and most appropriate care possible. 

The steps to become board certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery are briefly outlined below.  For additional information in greater detail please visit the ABOMS website.

RESIDENCY
After graduating from a CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) recognized dental school, an oral surgeon must then go on to complete advanced education through an oral and maxillofacial surgical residency with another CODA accredited program. 

EXAMINATIONS
Upon successful completion of this surgical residency an oral surgeon is licensed to practice oral surgery.  However, it is not a requirement that they undergo board certification.  Board certification requires an OMS to successfully complete a Written Qualifying Examination as the first step.  Upon successfully completing this, they are then considered Board Eligible, wherein they are have received approval to continue to the second step, the Oral Certifying Examination (OCE).  This OCE involves a rigorous in-person examination simultaneously with several board examiners over a wide range of topics to test the applicants.  Passing this grants the oral surgeon their board certification. 

MAINTENANCE
Diplomates of the ABOMS must participate every year in a Certification Maintenance process in order to keep their certification with the board.  This is to ensure that the oral surgeon is committed to continuing their education and remaining up-to-date with the current gold standards of care.