More than half of all AAO member orthodontists are ABO certified, according to the ABO.

The American Board of Orthodontics recently celebrated a major milestone with more than half of American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) members – 58%– now being ABO certified.

“Reaching this significant level of certification allows us to make a collective impact on the specialty,” says Patrick Foley, DDS, MDS, ABO president. “We are coming together in our profession and committing to excellence at a whole new level. Never have so many orthodontists completed the steps to achieve certification.”

As a specialty board, the ABO serves to protect the orthodontic specialty and encourage orthodontists to achieve certification, demonstrating their commitment to elevating the quality of patient care.

“This is truly an amazing accomplishment as it allows board-certified orthodontists to have a stronger voice in setting the standard of care,” said Foley. “We are truly leading the way. Together.”

According to Ken Dillehay, DDS, the AAO’s past president, “All practicing orthodontists should consider pursuing board certification as it reinforces a commitment to excellence and a desire to help lead the specialty into the future.”

Founded in 1929 as the first specialty board in dentistry, The ABO is partnered with the AAO and is recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards as the national certifying board for Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

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