The American Board of General Dentistry (ABGD) has announced a merger with the Federal Services Board of General Dentistry (FSBGD) effective in October 2003. The merger creates a unified credentialing entity and examining board for all general dentists. The FSBGD and ABGD have been working on the merger since 2001. The Dental Corps Chiefs of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Public Health Service and Veterans Administration gave final approval for the merger in August 2003. The FSBGD predates the ABGD and served as the impetus for the founding of the Certifying Board of General Dentistry in 1984. The Certifying Board of General Dentistry underwent a name change to the American Board of General Dentistry in 1997.
The American Board of General Dentistry is dedicated to elevating the standards and advancing the sciences and arts of General Dentistry by encouraging its study and improving its practice. The Board Certified General Dentist demonstrates a commitment to continued professional development through various educational experiences including national meetings, seminars, lectures, and other forms of study.
As a non-profit organization with more than 320 Board Certified general dentists, the ABGD promotes a unifying voice for general dentistry. It grants a certification credential in general dentistry to qualified candidates who successfully complete the certification process. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to the patient's oral health needs.
Highlights of the merger:
** FSBGD Diplomates submitting approved "grandfathering" applications by August 31, 2005, will be Board Certified by the ABGD. Applications for Board Certification received after that date would be subject to all required applications, fees and examinations.
** Beginning in 2004, the ABGD will administer the Written Examination to all candidates in March and July/August each year.
** In 2004, Federal Services candidates will take the FSBGD Oral Examination. Beginning in 2005, the ABGD will administer the Oral Examination to all candidates in May of each year.
** A dual track for the Case Treatment Planning and Rationale section of the Oral Examination will be given through 2008 and candidates may pursue either the ABGD format or the current FSBGD format.
** Starting in 2005, the deadline for submitting case presentations to the ABGD will be February 1 each year.
Active, retired or separated Diplomates of the Federal Services Board of General Dentistry will become Board Certified by the ABGD within two years of the merger of the two boards after completing the "grandfathering" application process. FSBGD Diplomates who do not grandfather into the ABGD by August 31, 2005, would be required to successfully pass the ABGD Written and Oral Examinations to obtain Board Certification.
Federal Services personnel who have passed the FSBGD Written Examination, but not the FSBGD Oral Examination must apply for an Educationally Qualified status with the ABGD. After submitting documentation verifying completion of the FSBGD Written Examination, they will be designated as Board Eligible and will be required to successfully pass the ABGD Oral Examination within five years from the date the FSBGD Written Examination was passed.
Beginning in 2004, the ABGD will administer their Written Examination to all FSBGD candidates. The Written Examination will be given in Chicago and at DANTES sites in March and at the AGD's Annual Meeting and DANTES sites each July/August. The Oral Examinations will continue to be independently administered to candidates by the ABGD and the FSBGD during 2004, with the ABGD assuming all responsibility for administering both the Written and Oral Examinations beginning in 2005. The Oral Examination will be given in Chicago during May 2005.
The Oral Examination will consist of two portions: Case Treatment Planning and Rationale, and Discipline-specific Oral Examinations. A dual track for the Case Treatment Planning and Rationale section will be permitted through 2008 and candidates seeking Board Certification may pursue either the current ABGD format for case presentations or the current FSBGD standardized treatment planning format. A decision on whether to retain one of these formats or adopt a new alternative for this section will be decided by the Board after the 2006 exams. The deadline for submitting case presentations for approval by the Board will be February 1 of each year as of 2005.
