Organization, Objectives, and Responsibilities

The Certifying Board of General Dentistry was incorporated in 1984, under the laws of the State of Illinois , as a not‑for‑profit organization. In 1997, the name was changed to the American Board of General Dentistry (ABGD).

The ABGD was organized to fulfill the following objectives and responsibilities:

1. To evaluate the standards and advance the science and art of general dentistry by encouraging its study and improving its practice;
2. To examine and determine the qualifications and proficiency of dentists who voluntarily apply to the Board for certification;
3. To grant and issue certificates in general dentistry to qualified candidates; and
4. To maintain a registry of all dentists certified and to verify the credentials of those certified upon request.

Basic Requirements for Board Certification

A candidate seeking Certification by the American Board of General Dentistry must submit all required applications and fees, successfully pass all examinations given by the Board and meet all of the requirements established by the ABGD Board of Directors.

The Certificate

The certificate conferred by the American Board of General Dentistry may be used for credentialing purposes only. Certification does not confer legal qualification, privilege, or license to practice general dentistry. The certificate shall not be held out to the public as evidence of superior skill and/or knowledge. The Board does not intend in any way to interfere with or limit the professional activities of any duly licensed general dentist who is not certified by this Board.

Titles to all certificates shall remain the property of the American Board of General Dentistry, but each person to whom a certificate is issued shall be entitled to its possession until it is revoked or voluntarily returned.

The Seal

The official seal is the exclusive property of the American Board of General Dentistry and its use is limited to the Board for certificates, stationery and official documents.

The Logo

The American Board of General Dentistry has developed an official logo for public usage by dentists certified by the ABGD. All Board Certified dentists who wish to use the ABGD logo are required to abide by the official logo guidelines. Written notification will be sent to any dentist found violating the ABGD logo guidelines. The ABGD reserves the right to revoke the Board Certification status and certificate of any dentist who continues to violate the ABGD logo guidelines subsequent to written notification.

The requirements for eligibility to be examined by the Board are as follows:

• Possession of a current license to practice dentistry granted by a dental licensing body with jurisdiction in the United States or Canada or;
• Successful completion of a GPR/AEGD program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or;
• Completion of formal training to a DDS or DMD degree from a school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which qualifies that individual for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services that meet a patient’s oral health needs and who has not announced a limitation of practice to any of the specialty areas recognized by the American Dental Association.

Post graduate professional experience and education or training in general dentistry must comply with one of the following Board-established entry points on the route to certification:

Entry Point I

Successful completion of a two-year postdoctoral general dentistry residency (AEGD or GPR) which is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Dentists who are within five (5) months of graduation from a CODA-accredited two-year post graduate program in general dentistry and who provide a letter from the Program Director affirming the resident’s continued enrollment in and expected completion of the program may be granted the status of Conditionally Educationally Qualified and will be allowed to sit for the Written Examination. First year residents are strictly prohibited from applying for or sitting for the Written Examination.

Entry Point II

Successful completion of a one year postdoctoral general dentistry residency (AEGD or GPR) which is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and documented attendance at a minimum of 350 clock hours of continuing dental education (CDE) courses. Successful completion of a second one-year postdoctoral general dentistry residency (AEGD or GPR) or a one year post-grad fellowship will count as 200 clock hours of CDE. See section for CDE criteria for Entry Point II.

Dentists who have completed the formal educational criteria (completion of a CODA-accredited one-year post graduate residency program in general dentistry) but who have not yet met the continuing education requirements may be granted the status of Conditionally Educationally Qualified and will be allowed to sit for the Written Examination.

Entry Point III

Attainment of Mastership with the Academy of General Dentistry.

Dentists who have been approved to receive their Mastership award from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), but who have not yet attended the AGD convocation ceremony, and who provide a copy of their Mastership approval letter from the AGD Council on Dental Education may be granted the status of Conditionally Educationally Qualified and will be allowed to sit for the Written Examination.

Application

Dentists must submit a qualifying application, all necessary documentation and an application fee of $300 in order to begin the Board Certification process. All applications will be reviewed to determine a dentist’s status.

Course Attendance

• Credit hour requirements for Entry Point II candidates may be completed after taking the Written Examination.
• Candidates who opt for this alternative will not become Board Eligible until they have completed the requirements and passed the examination.
  Courses must be a minimum of one hour in duration.
• Credit must be earned in specific subject categories, as outlined under “Subject Category Requirements.”
• Course content must be directly related to the practice of dentistry.
• Participation course credit is awarded only if the course meets the criteria of a participation course as defined herein.

Other Acceptable CDE Activities

Teaching: Original presentations receive three hours of credit for each hour of teaching. Repeat presentations receive hour-for-hour credit. Credit will be awarded upon receipt of verification from the sponsoring organization or institution. Credit for teaching does not apply toward the 200-hour participation requirement. Credit is awarded only for full‑ or part‑time faculty positions at ADA/CDA-accredited institutions or for continuing education presentations sponsored by FAGD/MAGD-approved sponsors.

Publications: Credit is awarded if an applicant authors a published scientific article or textbook, or chapter in a textbook.

Subject Category Requirements

A minimum number of hours must be earned through attendance at courses in each of the 11 dental subject categories as listed on the following page. After these minimums are met, dentists who meet the qualifications for entry via Entry Point II may apply credits earned either in actual course attendance, teaching, or publications. The maximum number of hours that will be accepted by the Board is also listed for each subject category. After subject category minimums are met, dentists may apply credits earned in elective courses.

Required Documentation

Documentation must be provided for each CDE course attended, for teaching and publications, and for completion of a GPR or AEGD program, as specified here.

• Course Attendance – any of the following
• Current AGD course record printouts
• Course record forms
• CDE registry records from a state recording service
• Military records of CDE attendance
• Letters of verification from CDE sponsors or instructors

Teaching

• Letter from the applicant’s supervisor in the institution in which the applicant teaches, verifying the dates of the academic appointment, the subject area(s) taught, and the number of hours spent teaching each subject, are required
• An AGD course record printout that indicates credit received for teaching

Publications

• A photocopy of the journal article or title page of the textbook is required
• An AGD printout that indicates credit received for the publication

AEGD/GPR Program

• A copy of the certificate of completion from an AEGD/GPR program

Eligibility

Once a candidate has been designated Educationally Qualified (EQ) or Conditionally Educational Qualified (CEQ) for Certification, the candidate is eligible to sit for the Written Examination.  A candidate must apply for and pass the Written Examination within five years of attaining an EQ or CEQ status.  Candidates who do not pass the Written Examination within the five years must re-establish the EQ or CEQ status for Certification.

Application

A candidate must submit a completed Written Examination application and fee to sit for the Written Examination. Applications for the Written Examination are available on the ABGD website or through the office of the ABGD. Written Examination applications must be submitted to the ABGD staff a minimum of 60 days prior to the test date for all candidates.

Examination Dates and Locations

The Written Examination is administered in March of each year in Tampa, FL, and also at designated military bases.  The Written Exam is also administered during the AGD Annual Meeting, generally in June or July.  For examination dates, visit the exam information page. 

Candidates may arrange to sit for their examinations at their military facility.

Those candidates testing at their assigned military facility within the continental U.S. or abroad MUST submit a letter to the ABGD office from the Commanding Officer of their assigned military facility.  The letter MUST contain the following information:

• Name of the Test Control Officer (TCO) who will administer the examination
• Shipping address for the examination
• Contact telephone and fax numbers and e-mail addresses of both the Commanding Officer and TCO
• A statement confirming that the Commanding Officer or TCO will administer the exam and secure it until it is returned to the American Board of General Dentistry
• The letter (written on Official Letterhead) must confirm the name of the candidate who will be sitting for the examination
• The signature of the Commanding Officer and TCO
• Signed Exam Administrator Agreements from the Commanding Officer and TCO

Copying of exam books or test questions is strictly prohibited and is a violation of policies established by the ABGD.

Those candidates who wish to test at their military facility, who do not submit the Command letter and Exam Administrator Agreements from the Commanding Officer and TCO will NOT be allowed to test.  Commanding Officers and/or TCOs cannot e-mail, fax, or telephone the ABGD for approval to test.

Special Accommodations

The American Board of General Dentistry may grant special accommodations for the Written Examination to a candidate who:

• submits a letter, a minimum of 60 days before the examination deadline, requesting special accommodations, and
• provides documentation verifying their condition as well as the specifics of the special accommodations from a qualified professional (i.e. physician, psychologist, counselor) currently treating the candidate.

The ABGD reserves the right to authorize the use of auxiliary aids or modifications in such a way as to maintain the integrity and security of the examination process.

Content

The Board develops its examinations based upon clinical knowledge, skills and procedures delineated by the Board and validated by peer-reviewed literature .

The Written Examination consists of 300 multiple choice test questions.  The exam is divided into two sections.  Each section consists of the following:

Section 1

• Operative

• Prosthodontics

• Periodontics

• Endodontics

Section 2

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Orofacial Pain

• Oral Medicine/Oral Pathology

• Ortho/Pedo/Public Health

• Implantology/Oral Radiology

The Written Examination is a one-day exam that is administered in two, three-hour sessions.  Section 1 is administered in the morning session and Section 2 is administered in the afternoon. 

This examination is criterion-referenced. This means that a minimum passing score is determined by the Board, based on what the Board considers to be the minimum knowledge a general dentist must possess to be considered proficient.

There is no penalty for guessing on the examination therefore it is in the candidate’s best interest to answer all the questions within each section of the exam.

Testing Irregularities

The Written Examination is proctored.  The proctor is responsible for protecting the integrity of the examination process and will provide a written report to the Board of any irregularities observed during the examination process.  Examples of irregularities include, but are not limited to, alterations of the test booklets, discrepancies in test materials, unforeseen interruptions in test administration and dishonest behavior by candidate(s).  Such irregularities will constitute grounds for invalidation of the candidate’s examination.  The Board maintains full authority for failing candidates based on irregular behavior.

Results of the Written Examination

Candidates will be informed of the results of their performance on the Written Examination within eight to ten weeks following its administration. Examination results are confidential and will not be released to anyone other than the candidate, without written consent of the candidate. Examination results cannot be released over the phone, fax, or by e-mail.

Passing the Written Examination

Candidates who pass the Written Examination will be granted the status of Board Eligible or Conditional Board Eligible upon approval of the Board. Candidates granted a Conditional Board Eligible status will NOT be allowed to sit for the Oral Examination until they have completed the requirements of their Entry Point.

Failing and Retaking the Written Examination

The Written Examination is comprehensive. Therefore, if a candidate fails the examination, they must retake the entire examination, not just those areas on which they did poorly.  A candidate must submit a new Written Examination application and re-examination fee in order to qualify to sit for the exam the following year.  Candidates may not retest within the same calendar year nor sit for the same version of the Written Examination more than once.

Candidates are allowed a maximum of three opportunities to take and pass the Written Examination, regardless of the number of times that Educationally Qualified status is conferred. Permission to take the Written Examination a fourth time may be granted only after the candidate submits a formal request to the Board stating the measures they have taken to improve their probability of passing the examination.

Eligibility

After passing the Written Examination and meeting all other eligibility requirements, a candidate is notified of their Board Eligible status by the Board. A candidate who is Board Eligible must pass the Oral Examination within five years after being declared Board Eligible.  A candidate who is eligible to sit for the Oral Examination may not test within the same calendar year in which they passed the Written Examination.

If a candidate is granted a Conditional Board Eligible status, the candidate must complete all the requirements of their Entry Point and achieved the status of Board Eligible before they will be allowed to sit for the Oral Examination.  Conditional Board Eligible candidates have five years to achieve Board Eligible status and pass the Oral Examination.

Application

The Oral Examination application and fee must be received no later than February 1st of the year in which the examination will be taken.

PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of 48 candidates will be allowed to sit for the ABGD Oral Exam.

COMPLETED Applications will be accepted on a “First Come, First Served Basis”

Please make certain you are submitting all required documents when making application. Incomplete applications will not be included in the first come first serve basis.

NOTICE: No specific testing days can be requested by candidates. ABGD will determine dates for candidates by blocks only.

Examination Dates and Location

The Oral Examination is administered each spring in Tampa, FL.  Please refer to the ABGD website for dates.

Special Accommodations

The American Board of General Dentistry may grant special accommodations for the Oral Examination to a candidate who:

• Submits a letter, a minimum of 60 days before the examination deadline, requesting special accommodations, and
• Provides documentation verifying their condition as well as the specifics of the special accommodations from a qualified professional (i.e. physician, psychologist, counselor) currently treating the candidate.

The ABGD reserves the right to authorize the use of auxiliary aids or modifications in such a way as to maintain the integrity and security of the examination process.

Content

The Oral Examination consists of two sections:

1. Case Treatment Planning & Rationale
2. Discipline-Specific Oral Examinations.

Candidates must pass both sections of the exam in order to complete the Board Certification process.

Standardized Case Diagnosis, Treatment Planning and Rationale Track

Format Overview:

The format comprises two consecutive sessions: a one hour case review session and a forty-five minute oral examination session. During the case review session, candidates will be presented with a reasonably challenging standardized multidisciplinary case from which they must identify major findings, make appropriate diagnoses and develop a treatment plan by phase.  No formal, written documentation is required during this section, but scripted notes made during this one hour review are highly encouraged to assist you in preparation for the oral exam. During the oral examination session candidates must be prepared to answer questions about the case and to discuss and justify their findings, diagnoses and treatment decisions. For both sessions candidates will have access to all diagnostic aids regarding the patient’s history, dental examination findings, casts and radiographs from which to develop and discuss their treatment plan and rationale.

Case Review Session:

The purpose of this first session (one hour) is to review the diagnostic aids, make appropriate diagnoses and formulate a reasonable treatment plan based on case review findings.  There is no preferred treatment plan.  The Board recognizes that multiple different treatment plans may be acceptable.  A treatment plan must address the chief complaint, must not harm the patient, and follow a logical treatment sequence.  Each candidate will have one hour to review the standardized multidisciplinary case and will have access to the following diagnostic aids:

• Chief complaint
• Medical and dental history
• Complete dental examination findings
• Full mouth and panoral digital radiographs
• Extraoral and intraoral photographic series
• Periodontal charting
• Unmounted diagnostic casts
• Articulated casts mounted in CO
• Lined legal (8.5×11 inch) paper
• Pens/Pencils with sharpener
• Surveyor and table with all rods, gauges, leads, etc.

Though no formal, written documentation is required during this section, the candidate is highly encouraged to make notes and develop their original thoughts regarding the case.  The candidate should use this time to prepare to answer questions (during the oral examination section) that address the following:

Discipline Specific Diagnoses Supported by Findings:

• Medical considerations
• Treatment plan and rationale by phase
• Emergency Phase
• Systemic Phase (e.g., medical considerations, treatment modifications)
• Preparatory Phase (e.g., caries/periodontal disease control, restorative, endodontic, oral surgery)
• Reevaluation Phase (e.g., compliance, disease control)
• Corrective-Restorative Phase (e.g., prosthodontics)
• Maintenance phase
• Prognosis
• Justification/Rationale for treatment decisions

PLEASE NOTE: The examination will be administered in a proctored environment.  At the end of the examination period, you must return all testing materials and notes to the proctors.  No candidate is permitted to remove any testing materials or copies thereof from the proctored environment.  Anyone found doing so will receive a failing grade and may not be permitted to retake the exam.

Oral Examination Session:

The purpose of this forty-five minute oral examination session is to objectively evaluate a candidate’s ability to apply the phased treatment planning approach and to provide justification for their diagnoses and treatment planning decisions.  Candidates are expected to identify significant findings or problems, make appropriate diagnostic decisions, develop a reasonable phased treatment plan for this case, and properly justify their decisions.

Important points to consider:

Significant preparation is required prior to the examination in order to effectively implement the phased treatment planning approach and to support the major diagnoses with correctly identified findings.  The current study aids available on the ABGD website continue to be useful guides to prepare for this section.

All diagnostic aids will be available to the candidate as a reference during both sections of the oral examination.  An examination proctor will also be available during the case review section to assist with the administration of the case review and provide any guidance a candidate may require.

During the oral examination, topics of interest may include:

• Phased treatment planning approach and sequencing of treatment
• Correct major diagnoses supported by discipline-specific findings
• Patient’s chief complaint
• Medical management and medication considerations
• Diagnostic techniques
• Disease control
• Occlusal considerations
• Function, esthetics and space maintenance factors
• Identifying key abutment teeth
• Fixed, removable and/or implant supported design
• Materials selection
• Acceptable treatment planning decisions
• Prognosis

The Discipline-Specific Oral Examinations Section

This section of the Oral Examination will be administered in eight sessions during a four-hour period.  Each session will last 25 minutes.  The eight sessions will consist of topic groupings as follows:

a. Operative

b. Prosthodontics

c. Periodontics

d. Endodontics

e. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Orofacial Pain

f. Oral Medicine/Oral Pathology

g. Ortho/Pedo/Public Health

h. Implantology/Oral Radiology

Results of the Oral Examination will be sent within six weeks of its administration.  Results of the examinations are confidential and will not be released to anyone other than the candidate, without written consent of the candidate.  Examination results cannot be released over the phone, fax, or by e-mail.

Passing the Oral Examination

Candidates who pass the Oral Examination and complete all of the requirements established by the ABGD Board of Directors will be granted the status of Board Certification upon approval of the Board.

Failing and Retaking the Oral Examination

Candidates who fail either section of the Oral Examination may retake it a maximum of two times. If the candidate does not become Board Certified within five years after being declared Board Eligible, the candidate will no longer be Board Eligible.  The candidate must reapply to the Board to re-establish the status of Educationally Qualified for Certification and pass a new Written Examination within a five-year period.

Candidates who take the Oral Examination and pass the Case Treatment Planning & Rationale section, but fail the Discipline-Specific Oral Examinations section of the exam will NOT be required to be retested on the Case Treatment Planning & Rationale section during subsequent attempts to pass the Oral Examination.

Candidates who take the Oral Examination and pass the Discipline-Specific Oral Examinations section, but fail the Case Treatment Planning & Rationale section of the exam will NOT be required to be retested on the Discipline-Specific Oral Examinations section during subsequent attempts to pass the Oral Examination.

Time Extension

Board Eligible dentists may request, due to extenuating circumstances, a one-year, non-renewable time extension of their eligibility by writing to the ABGD Board of Directors.  All written requests will be reviewed by the Board on an individual basis and written notification will be sent with the Board’s final decision.

The ABGD annual registration fee schedule is structured in the following manner:

• First notices are emailed to the Board Eligible (BE), Conditionally Board Eligible (CBE) and the Board Certified (BC) dentists by September 1st. If payment is received by the ABGD office by December 31st, the annual registration fee will be $50 for Board Eligible and Conditionally Board Eligible dentists. The annual registration fee for Board Certified dentists will be $150. All registration payments will be due by December 31st annually.
• The annual registration fee paid after January 1st, will be $200 for BC and $65 for all BE, CBE. Dentists will have until August 31 to pay their annual registration fee.
• As of September 1st of the subsequent annual registration period, those BE, CBE and BC dentists who are in arrears for the previous year’s registration fee will have their status revoked.
• Those BOARD CERTIFIED dentists who wish to have their status reinstated with the ABGD must submit a letter for consideration to the Board of Directors, and in addition, a $100 reinstatement fee, and all past due annual registration, recertification fees, and CE hours.
• The ABGD Board of Directors will review each reinstatement request.  All decisions by the ABGD Board are final.

Board Eligible and Conditional Board Eligible Dentists

In order to maintain Board Eligible or Conditional Board Eligible status, the candidate must remit an annual registration fee each year, for a maximum of five years that the candidate does not take and/or pass the Oral Examination.  Annual registration notices will be emailed September 1 each calendar year and follow the schedule listed under the next section.

Board Certified Dentists

The Board requires an annual registration fee from each individual designated as Board Certified.  Annual registration notices will be sent each calendar year on the following schedule:

• 1st Notice → September 1 via e-mail.
• 2nd Notice → December 1 via e-mail.
• 3rd and Final Notice → June 1 via e-mail and US Mail.

Disability Waiver

Board Eligible (BE) or Board Certified (BC) dentists may be request a disability waiver to defer payment of their annual registration fee:

A.  If the BE or BC dentist submits a letter from a physician or insurance company that verifies their condition; and

B. for a period not to exceed three years from the time the BE or BC dentist’s request is approved by the ABGD.

All waiver requests will be reviewed by the Board on an individual basis and written notification will be sent with the Board’s final decision.

Change of Address

It is the responsibility of all Conditional Board Eligible, Board Eligible and Board Certified dentists to notify the ABGD of any changes of address in a timely manner.

Except for those granted retired status, dentists who have been certified by the Board must be recertified every five years. Certified dentists must accumulate 125 hours of continuing education in clinical science, basic science or regulatory matters related to dentistry over this five‑year period. CE materials may be submitted by U.S.Mail to the ABGD office or by email.

Failure to meet recertification requirements will cause the Board Certified dentist’s name to be removed from the registration roster and forfeiture of the certificate.

In addition to the annual registration fee, a recertification fee is assessed to cover the expense of reviewing qualifications. Board Certified dentists will receive a reminder one-year prior to their required recertification. Recertification notices will be mailed out September 1 each calendar year.

The ABGD defines”Retired Status” as a certified denstist in good standing, no longer earning income from the profession of dentistry, including, but not limited to, service as a member of the faculty of a dental school, lecturer, researcher, dental administrator, consultant, or as a practitioner of any activity for which a license to practice dentistry is required. A Certified dentist must submit written notification to the ABGD requesting a Retired status and verifying that they no longer receive compensation from the practice of dentistry. When approved for retired status, they will be exempt from annual dues and academic recertification requirements. Maintenance of retired status (in good standing) entitles the individual to all the privileges of a certified member.

Changing Status from Retired to Active

The retired member must submit:

1. A letter for consideration to the ABGD
2. A $100 Reinstatement fee
3. Documentation of continuing education (125 hrs/5 years)
4. Recertification Fee of $75.
5. Annual registration fee for each year, beginning from the date of retirement

Reasons for Revocation

The Board has the authority to revoke any certificate issued by the American Board of General Dentistry if the dentist holding the certificate:

• has their license to practice dentistry revoked;
• is found guilty of any offense that may cause their dental license to be revoked;
• makes a misstatement of fact in any application to the Board;
• fails to limit the use of the certificate, as established in Chapter VII, Section 2 of the Bylaws, and as determined by the Board;
• fails to pay the annual registration fee prior to or on the deadline established by the Board for receipt of this fee;
• fails to meet the recertification requirements of the Board.

Upon revocation of a certificate by the Board, the holder shall return their certificate to the American Board staff and their name shall be removed from the annual registration roster of Board Certified general dentists.

Jurisdiction of the Board

The Board has sole jurisdiction to determine whether evidence presented is sufficient to revoke a certificate or to reinstate any revoked certificate, and whether reinstatement requires re-examination.

Failure to meet recertification requirements will cause the Board Certified dentist’s name to be removed from the registration roster and forfeiture of the certificate.

In addition to the annual registration fee, a recertification fee is assessed to cover the expense of reviewing qualifications. Board Certified dentists will receive a reminder one-year prior to their required recertification. Recertification notices will be mailed out September 1 each calendar year.

Fees paid to the American Board of General Dentistry are not refundable.  The fees listed below must be paid in U.S. funds and are subject to change without notice.

Study Guide

The American Board of General Dentistry, Written Exam Study Guide contains 100 sample questions that reflect the content make-up of the exam.  An answer key and an answer sheet are included so that candidates can simulate testing and score their own results.

For assistance to those preparing for the ABGD Oral Examination.   The ABGD Oral Examination Treatment Planning Study Guide is now available.  To order, please send a check for $45 or contact the ABGD office directly with your credit card information.  Expect 10-14 business days for delivery.

ABGD Lapel Pin – Available Only to Board Certified General Dentists

The ABGD lapel pin is gold toned and purple and has been designed as an exact replica of the official ABGD seal.  To order a lapel pin, contact the ABGD staff. Expect 7-10 business days for delivery.

Certificate Reprints

Board Certified dentists who need to replace or want a duplicate of their official ABGD certificate must pay a fee in order to have their certificate reprinted.  To order a replacement certificate or to request a duplicate copy, contact the ABGD staff.