2008 ABO UPDATE
Dr. Jeryl English
Written Exam
The ABO 2008 Written Examination was given April 21-25, 2008 at Pearson Vue Centers throughout the United States and Canada. This examination is the first step toward achieving board certification. There were 363 candidates who signed up for the examination and 342 candidates successfully passed the examination and there were 20 failures.
The ABO Written Examination is a comprehensive examination that assesses knowledge of basic sciences and clinical concepts; it is based on criterion-referenced testing. Criterion-referenced measurement is an approach to testing, by which an individual’s score on a test is interpreted comparing to a pre-specified standard of performance and not to other candidates’ scores. Candidates are measured against the skill and knowledge represented by each test item. The difficulty of each item for the minimally competent candidate is the basis for setting the Criterion Standard, one that is represented as an absolute standard on a Benchmark Scale. The Benchmark Scale and Criterion Standard of the ABO Written Examination were first established in 2003 and updated in June 2007 for the 2008 examination.
The 2008 examination consisted of 240 multiple-choice questions and was divided into four modules. Questions were developed from various educators across the country who submitted questions to the ABO Question Bank. Module 1 had 68 questions on basic and applied biomedical sciences. Topics included were anatomy, physiology, histology, genetics, microbiology, pathology, and growth and development. Module 2 had 50 questions on occlusion, TMD, radiography/photography, cephalometrics, pharmacology, patient management, and orthodontic history. Module 3 had 67 questions on orthodontic materials, orthopedics, diagnosis and treatment planning, biomechanics, techniques and appliances, orthognathic and interdisciplinary treatment, implants, CPR, and statistics. Module 4 had eight cases for case analysis with five questions on each case and 15 questions pertaining to cephalometric/anatomical landmarks.
Clinical Exam
In February 2008, the ABO held its Clinical Examination in Dallas, Texas, for those orthodontists striving to become board-certified or recertified. This examination session included the First Recertification Examination for orthodontists who selected the Gateway Offer, the Initial Certification Examination for orthodontists who recently completed their postdoctoral programs, and the traditional Clinical Examination for orthodontists completing the Option I or Option II certification pathways. The ABO certified 88 of the 111 examinees.
Eighteen orthodontists successfully presented cases for the Initial Certification Examination (ICE). These individuals finished their board cases during their postdoctoral programs. There were 26 orthodontists who successfully passed the First Recertification Examination, thereby maintaining their certification. The remaining examinees were pursuing the Option I or Option II certification pathways and successfully completed the traditional Clinical Examination.
With the rising number of orthodontists seeking certification and recertification, the ABO is taking steps to meet the potentially increased demand for future clinical examinations. Therefore, the ABO trained eight new examiners during its Clinical Examination in February in Dallas. Each of the new examiners have successfully completed recertification examinations and hail from different parts of the United States, ensuring that all eight of the constituent organizations are well represented.
Under the new certification model, the ABO will examine and certify orthodontists immediately following their graduation from an accredited postdoctoral orthodontic program, provided they have passed the Written Examination. To maintain their diplomate status, these individuals must complete periodic re-examinations throughout their careers.
Although February 2008 marks the last time the ABO will offer the Clinical Examination for traditional certification pathways, an option still exists for those practicing orthodontists who are interested in becoming board certified. These individuals can take the First Recertification Examination as their entry into ABO certification. Upon successful completion, they will receive a 10-year time-limited certificate.
Educators’ Symposium
An Educators’ Symposium will be held on November 2, 2008 at the St. Louis Airport Marriott Hotel. Topics will include:
- Digital technology
- Electronic case submission
- Digital models
- Automated grading
- PearsonVue/computerized written exam
- Improving the integration of ABO exams within the graduate programs
- ABO certification of graduating residents
- CDABO courses