About Board Certification

If you have been shopping around for a healthcare provider, you’ve most likely heard the term “board-certified”. But what does it mean, exactly? Board-certification is a voluntary process that doctors undergo to demonstrate their skill, knowledge, and dedication to their field. In the United States, only one-third of all orthodontists have achieved this honor. At Smile Suffolk Braces, Dr. Thomas T. Taylor is board-certified. When you choose our practice, know that you will be receiving the highest level of care possible.

The American Board of Orthodontics

The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) has been in existence since 1929. This elite team of educators and professionals works together to examine all applicants seeking board-certification, and judges their knowledge and performance by rigorous standards.

The Board-Certification Process

To be eligible for board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics, one must be a licensed orthodontist at present. This means the individual has already obtained their dental degree from a four-year accredited school, and has completed an orthodontic residency for an additional two to three years.

To receive board-certification, the orthodontist must first pass a written exam. After this, he or she must present actual patient case reports and exhibit knowledge and skill during a clinical assessment. If their performance is satisfactory, they are granted board-certification. To maintain this recognition, orthodontists must be re-certified through the ABO every ten years.

What it Means

When a doctor is board-certified, it means he or she is dedicated to the utmost level of care. It is a representation of their hard work, so that their colleagues and community can know they are committed to excellence.

Contact Us to Learn More

To learn more about board-certification, or to schedule an appointment at our Suffolk, VA practice, contact us online. You can also call us at one of our two locations.