Why is board certification worth it for dentists?

Dentists go through many years of school to become Doctors and get licensed. After accomplishing this, many strive to receive a board certification from the American Board of General Dentistry, the American Board of Dental Specialities or the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology. 

This certification is not required, but it does help them become more reputable. In fact, only one percent of general dentists are board-certified. To get board certification, dentists must complete long educational hours, take an exam and get recertification within certain years. 

Are you debating on whether receiving board certification is worth it? The sedation dentistry Overland Park KS professionals want to share some knowledge on how to get board certification and why it matters in your practice. 

What is board certification? 

Board certification is a process in which health professionals, like dentists, go through to prove their mastery of basic knowledge and skill that defines an area of dental or medical specialization. It is not required for dentists to become board certified, but many of these professionals do get it to prove their expertise.

How to receive board certification

One thing to note is that to get board certification, dentists must meet certain requirements. The first step that dentists must take is completing education requirements. Some boards require completing a post-doctoral residency in a specific field or a Master’s Certificate. 

The next step is passing a series of exams that include both written and oral. Written exams are taken first, and if successfully completed, then the candidate takes the oral. The oral exams are presented and reviewed by board members. After passing the last exam, the candidate receives board certification. 

It is important to note that in order to take this title, dentists must get recertification within a specific number of years. The number of years depends on the board of certification. For example, the American Board of General Dentistry requires recertification every five years.

The benefits of receiving board certification

It demonstrates you have the expertise. 

As a dentist, you want to gain and retain dental patients. This can be challenging when there are lots of dentists to choose from. How do you stand out from the competition? By getting board certification. 

When patients are looking for a dentist, they are looking for one that has the experience and expertise. One thing that many dental patients look for is board certification. Acquiring this kind of certification demonstrates that you have the experience, sufficient training and knowledge. 

Keeps you up-to-date with the latest dental advancements.

Dentistry keeps advancing and improving over the years. It can be hard to keep up with the latest dental advancements. One way that dentists can stay up-to-date with the latest discoveries and methods of dentistry is by acquiring board certification.

This makes dentists continue their education to ensure they are updated on the latest advancements in a specific dentistry area. Staying on top of the latest dentistry technologies and methods to help ensure your patients are receiving the best and most effective care. 

Are you looking for sedation dentistry in Overland Park KS?

Midwest Sedation can help! We provide educational sedation courses for recertification in eight states. All of our courses are approved by the American Dental Association. Visit our website to enroll in a course.