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The ABOI/ID Diplomate designation symbolizes the highest level of competence in implant dentistry. Certification by the board attests to the fact that a dentist has demonstrated knowledge, ability and proficiency in implant dentistry through a rigorous examination process. The dentist who achieves board certification has demonstrated competency in the restorative as well as the surgical processes. Once the doctor decides they would like to challenge the exam they need to submit 670 credits of post graduate education in implant dentistry. The applicant will then sit for part 1, a 200-question written examination which is psychometrically valid and reliable. Following each yearly examination, the written exam committee meets and reviews the results. The committee looks at the overall raw scores and, at the advice of the psychometric company we work with, will set a pass point. The committee will then review each question and how it fared with the candidate who took the exam. It will look at how candidates, who did well overall, answered each question; and how candidates who didn’t fare well, answered the questions. If a question does not test well, it may be reworked and reworded for future use, or it is discarded and will have no bearing on the candidate's overall score. The candidates who pass are eligible to sit for Part II. Part II candidates must submit a required number of cases which have been in function for at least one year. The cases and templates are available on our ABOI website, ABOI.org. Currently there are five sections to the Oral Exam. This process also passes through a psychometric validation process. The ABOI Board will then meet and look at the overall raw scores and once again, at the advice of the psychometric company, will set a pass point. In the psychometric process the candidates and examiners are graded. If an examiner is a harder examiner and consistently gives low grades, their scores may be graded up. Conversely, if an examiner gives high grades, their scores may be graded down. Overall, it is a very fair process. The examiners truly want to make sure that the doctors who have achieved diplomate status will ultimately represent the organization in a very professional manner.
An Implant Dentist who passes the certification examination of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry becomes a “Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry.” Diplomates are required to complete a continuing education attestation statement that they have completed 160 continuing education hours and take a recertification examination every eight years in order to maintain their Diplomate status.
Thank you!
Bart Silverman
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