Oral surgeons perform complex surgeries that are likely to have a life-changing impact on you if they go wrong. When choosing an oral surgeon for your procedure, you must ensure they have the necessary training, skills, and certification. This article will tell you why board certification matters for oral surgeons.
What is Board Certification, and Why is It Important for Oral Surgeons?
Board certification for oral surgeons is a certificate issued to American oral surgeons by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS). This board is the only certifying board for the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery that is recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). Although this certification is not mandatory, it shows that the oral surgeon has completed all the necessary training and examinations and meets the standards required to perform successful oral surgeries.
A board of eight directors oversees the ABOMS. It is to make sure all oral surgeons meet the criteria for training and professionalism. It’s certified by peer appraisal.
Before the board gives an oral surgeon a certificate, they must provide professional credentials and prove they have the required training and understanding of different oral surgeries. The certification process involves the qualifying exam and oral certifying exam. The qualifying exam is computer-based, and it’s meant to test the surgeon’s competency in oral and maxillofacial. An oral surgeon must pass this test to move to the following evaluation stage.
The oral certifying examination is designed to evaluate a surgeon’s understanding and judgment in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The test comprises three segments, each with four timed cases. The entire oral test takes 144 minutes, while the qualifying exam takes 200 minutes. An oral surgeon needs to go through this certification process because they meet the prerequisite standards and have demonstrated a high commitment to offering the best services to their patients.