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There’s a whole lot of hard work that goes into being an orthodontist. But one aspect is especially vital, and shouldn’t be overlooked by new patients! Today, our Ossi Orthodontics team will go over a thorough explanation behind the importance of seeing a board-certified orthodontist.
What Does This Mean?
Good question! In short, a board-certified orthodontist is a dental specialist who has completed extensive additional education and training to earn a certification from a recognized orthodontic board. In the United States, that group is the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). Our office’s Dr. Alan Ossi is a superb example of a board-certified orthodontist! Let’s review some of the key points of the certification process:
- Education: To become an orthodontist, one must first complete a dental degree (Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery), and then choose to pursue further education in orthodontics by completing a postgraduate orthodontic residency program. Orthodontics is considered a specialized area, narrower than general dentistry.
- Residency: This will last 2-3 years, and requires extensive testing and training in orthodontic theory and practice, plus hands-on clinical experience.
- Board Certification: During this extremely rigorous examination process, the American Board of Orthodontics will evaluate standards like clinical skills, knowledge of orthodontic principles, and ability to diagnose a variety of cases. It’s widely considered to be a challenging process, which is part of what makes certification such a distinguished achievement.
- Case Evaluation: Orthodontists submit a series of treated cases for evaluation by the ABO. These cases are meticulously assessed to ensure they meet the highest standards of care.
- Continuing Education: Even after their certification, these orthodontists are committed to maintaining the highest level of knowledge and skill in their field. This can mean engaging in ongoing education to stay up to date with advancements in the practice, especially as technology evolves.
Why Certification Matters
So, there’s clearly a lot that goes into this process. But even knowing all of that, why is it so important to see one of these professionals? Here are some key reasons:
- Proven Competence: Certified orthodontists have proven competence and proficiency in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment. This also means they have a range of expertise, from common to complex treatments.
- Ethical Practices: Being certified by ABO means an orthodontist adheres to ethical and professional standards. They are committed to delivering orthodontic care that is always in the best interest of the patient, ensuring ethical and responsible treatment.
- Quality Assurance: Certification is a quality assurance measure that serves as a mark of excellence and commitment to exceptional treatment.
- Peace of Mind: Choosing a certified orthodontist like Dr. Ossi provides patients like you with peace of mind that they’re in the best possible hands. Orthodontic treatment can be intimidating for a lot of people; any additional means of reassurance are huge assets to the success of their treatment. Not only can you be assured of his professionalism, but also that of the team he chooses to work with.
Some Words of Warning
Now that you know the qualities and benefits of a board-certified orthodontist, we want to suggest a few things to consider before choosing someone who is not board-certified. These aren’t inherently bad orthodontists, but there might be some variables that could impact your desire to proceed with treatment.
- Varying Levels of Expertise: Non-board certified orthodontists may have wide margins of experience. While the certification process ensures a certain standard of work, it doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t capable of providing quality care. However if they aren’t certified, patients should carefully research qualifications and experience.
- Quality Assurance: Again, a non-certified individual might be able to provide great service, but there are no standardized assessments of their skills and knowledge. These include factors like written exams and case evaluations. This can make for an uncertain patient experience.
- Patient Satisfaction: Along with this uncertainty, you might not be able to ensure you’ll be completely satisfied with the outcome of your treatment if your orthodontist has not been board-certified.
Our Service is Certified Excellent!
Orthodontics is a specialized dental practice, so it’s totally normal for the general population not to be aware of processes like ABO certification! Hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two in this blog, and can use this knowledge to choose your orthodontist with confidence—or, if you’re already our patient, will be even happier to be in our care! If you’re looking to pursue orthodontic treatment, please reach out to one of our two offices for a free consultation: Jacksonville (904-560-6279) or St. Augustine (904-780-5721).