Being an orthodontist requires a huge amount of hard work, but one crucial aspect that new patients should not overlook is the importance of choosing a board-certified orthodontist. Today, our Scott Orthodontics team will go over a thorough explanation behind the importance of seeing a board-certified orthodontist.
What Does Board-Certified Mean?
That’s a great question! In simple terms, a board-certified orthodontist is a dental professional who has undergone extensive education and training to obtain certification from a recognized orthodontic board. In the United States, this is the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO).
Our office has three incredible orthodontists: Dr. Gregory Scott, Dr. Jonathan Scott, and Dr. Karan Patel. They are all exemplary board-certified orthodontists! Let’s take a look at some key aspects of the certification process:
- Education: To become an orthodontist, one must first earn a dental degree (Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery) and then pursue advanced education in orthodontics by completing a postgraduate residency program. Orthodontics is a specialized field that is narrower in scope than general dentistry.
- Residency: This program typically lasts 2-3 years and involves extensive testing and training in orthodontic theory and practice, along with hands-on clinical experience.
- Board Certification: The American Board of Orthodontics conducts a rigorous examination process to evaluate candidates on their clinical skills, understanding of orthodontic principles, and ability to diagnose a range of cases. This challenging process contributes to the prestige of board certification.
- Case Evaluation: Orthodontists must submit a series of treated cases for assessment by the ABO. These cases are thoroughly reviewed to ensure they meet the highest standards of care.
- Continuing Education: Even after achieving certification, orthodontists commit to ongoing education to stay current with advancements in the field, particularly as technology continues to evolve.
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 us? Here are some key reasons:
- Demonstrated Expertise: Board-certified orthodontists have demonstrated their competence and skill in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment, showcasing a breadth of knowledge that spans both routine and complex cases.
- Quality Assurance: Certification serves as a hallmark of excellence and a commitment to providing outstanding care, ensuring that patients receive top-quality treatment.
- Adherence to Ethical Standards: Being certified by the ABO indicates that an orthodontist upholds ethical and professional standards. They are dedicated to delivering care that prioritizes the best interests of the patient, ensuring responsible and ethical treatment practices.
- Reassurance for Patients: Opting for a certified orthodontist offers patients peace of mind, knowing they are receiving care from a highly qualified professional. Orthodontic treatment can be daunting for many, so any additional source of reassurance greatly enhances the treatment experience. You can trust not only in the orthodontist’s professionalism but also in the expertise of their support team.
Words of Warning
Now that you’re familiar with some of the benefits and characteristics of a board-certified orthodontist, we’d like to highlight a few points for you to consider regarding orthodontists who aren’t board-certified.
While these providers may not be inherently bad, there are some serious factors that could affect your decision to proceed with treatment.
- Quality Assurance: A non-certified orthodontist may still offer decent service, but there are no standardized evaluations of their skills and knowledge. This lack of standardization can lead to uncertainty and inconsistency in the patient experience.
- Diverse Levels of Expertise: Non-board-certified orthodontists may have contrasting degrees of experience. While the certification process establishes a standard for quality, it doesn’t mean that non-certified practitioners can’t deliver competent care. However, patients should conduct thorough research into their qualifications if they choose to see someone without certification. Again—it’s a risk we don’t recommend taking.
- Patient Satisfaction: Due to these uncertainties associated with non-certified orthodontists, you may not be able to guarantee complete satisfaction with the results of your treatment. This is usually made pretty clear in reviews and testimonials; they’re a very mixed bag. By contrast, you’ll find ours are positive across the board.
Our Service is Certified Spectacular!
Orthodontics is a specialized field within dentistry, so it’s completely understandable that many people may not be familiar with processes like ABO certification! We hope this blog has provided you with valuable insights to help you choose your orthodontist with confidence. If you’re already one of our patients, we’re thrilled to have you in our care! If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, don’t hesitate to contact one of our two offices for a free consultation: Lakeland or Winter Haven. We can’t wait to show you what an excellent practice looks like in action!