ABPD
The Renewal of Certification Process….
What Does that Mean to Me?
I
am sure that some of you, like me, received a notification in the mail from American
Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) World Headquarters when it was time to renew your
time-limited certificate. My first reaction was denial, thinking that it could not possibly
have been 10 years since I became Board Certified! My next reaction was pensive, reflecting on
the many positive impacts that Board Certification has had on my career.
To be honest, when I became Board Certified in January 2000, the value that I placed
in Board Certification was minimal. It was something that I felt I should do, but it was not
something that I felt I needed to accomplish. At that time, it was a three-part process, each one
seeming more laborious than the other. I received my certificate and stashed it away.
As I read my time-limited certificate again, I realized how wrong I had been not to value
my Board Certification. The process alone enriched my career; it energized me to ensure I was
always on the cutting edge of my specialty. As a faculty member, it was routine to stay current
with the specialty. Now, I am in private practice and I value the Board process even more. I
always knew I owed it to my patients to be there with knowledge that is current, with treatment
that is state of the art and with resources at my fingertips. And we all recognize that no one
person can be the holder of all of the information.
The Renewal of Certification Process (ROC-P) is designed to keep us striving to improve.
It helps us to both examine our practices and ourselves. Now, I am excited to renew; as we all
should be!
So, what exactly is ROC-P? It is a four-step process:
• Part I is evidence of professional standing;
• Part II is evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning, continuing scholarship and improvement;
• Part III is evidence of cognitive expertise based on performance on an examination: and,
• Part IV is evidence of evaluation of performance in practice.
You may be saying to yourself, at this point, that a four- step process is too difficult and/or
too time consuming. I am here to say that it is not!
Think about it. Most of us are already completing Parts I and II for our licensure in our
own states. Part III is a computer- based examination done in the comfort of our own “space”
and Part IV is designed to help us always provide the best care for our patients; in accordance
with current American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry clinical guidelines.
The examination, Part III, consists of 100 multiple choice questions based on contemporary general knowledge in pediatric dentistry. You have 24 hours to complete the exam once
you log into it from your computer. It is open book by design so that one can learn while taking
this exam. The evidence of performance in practice (Part IV) is achieved through the completion of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) modules — each designed to highlight one
of the oral health policies or clinical guidelines developed by the AAPD. For this last component, the Diplomate reads material associated with the policy or guideline and then reviews a
number of patient records to document how she has incorporated that guideline or policy into
her practice.
Ten years ago, I became certified because I should have done it; now I am doing it because
I want to. We are truly a special group, we who are Board Certified. We started this process
many years ago with the intention of being the best in our specialty and providing the best to
our patients. Now, a decade later we are offered the opportunity to once again show that we
are the best — that we strive to always be and serve better!
I truly can say that as a time-limited Diplomate, I am excited to begin this process! I am
scheduled to take the ROC this fall. Join me!
Kaaren G. Vargas D.D.S., Ph.D.
Vice- President
If you have questions or comments about this topic, let me hear from you. E-mail me at
[email protected].
What my colleagues are
saying:
“All dentists can treat children but I specialize! Children are my only business. Being certified adds to the stature and strength of our
pediatric dental specialty. It shows dedication
to the specialty and our patients.”
J. Kyle House, D.D.S., F.A.A.P.D. Ore.
Diplomate since 1996
“I have watched an evolution where hospitals, insurance companies, ambulatory facilities and even patients are seeking out certified
practitioners as a valuation of their specialty
and skills. I am committed to maintaining
my certification through the renewal process. It ensures that the knowledge I have is
deepened, I know and understand the latest
guidelines, and I have made a commitment
to my patients to be the best practitioner I
could be.”
Rosie Roldan, D.M.D., M.D. Fla.
Diplomate since 2004
“Board certification provides important evidence that a pediatric dentist is well prepared
to bring real expertise to those who need us
most – young, disabled, and socially vulnerable children with the greatest treatment needs.
In our group pediatric dentistry practice, we
expect Board Certification because we all believe that it promotes individual, practice, and
professional vitality and development.”
Burton Edelstein, D.D.S., M.P.H. N.Y.
Diplomate since 1984
“We must represent ourselves with the highest standard of care possible. Becoming and
maintaining Diplomate status through lifelong practice, and involvement with our profession and community keeps us connected.
It enables us to become positive role models
and an integral part of our patients lives.”
Steven Ureles, D.M.D., M.S., Con.
Diplomate since 1992
“I believe you should strive to be the best professional you can be. Achieving Diplomate
status is part of that effort, as I think it validates that you are capable of performing at
a higher level. For me, it ranks in the top five
achievements of my career.”
Robert Delarosa, D.D.S., La.
Diplomate since 1991
PDT 33