title: Evaluation of American Board of Orthodontics certification protocols in postgraduate orthodontic programs in the United States and Canada.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to identify the board certification protocols that hospital and university-based postgraduate orthodontic programs have in place to prepare residents for the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  An electronic survey was sent to the program directors of each of the 72 postgraduate orthodontic programs in the United States and Canada. The survey consisted of 49 questions about demographics, resident case assignment protocols, and ABO examination preparation methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 81%. Most programs were 30 to 36 months in length (72.7%). Many residents had a case load of 51 to 75 during their first year (50.9%), with an average maximum case load of 70 to 109. There was a positive correlation with both the number of cases that first-year residents start and the length of the program (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.379; P <0.01) when compared with maximum case load. Approximately 72% of the programs do not offer a written mock board examination; however, 72% reported offering a clinical mock board examination. ABO cases are identified within the first 6 months of most programs. About 88% of respondents believe that residents take advantage of the banking system, and that over the past 5 years ABO Initial Certification Examination applications have increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most program directors (89.1%) believe that their program length is sufficient for board preparation. Subjects tested in the written examination are integrated into the didactic curriculum and strengthened with ongoing literature reviews, with a passing rate over 90%. Clinical examination preparation varies, with most programs requiring a mock board examination for graduation. Total participation in both the Initial Certification Examination and banking has increased since 2010; better follow-up protocols are needed to track residents after graduation.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Orthodontic Program, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A. T. Still University, Mesa, Ariz; Graduate School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: JPark@atsu.edu.
authors.forename: Jae Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Orthodontic Program, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A. T. Still University, Mesa, Ariz.
authors.forename: Raphael R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Putrus
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Orthodontic Program, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A. T. Still University, Mesa, Ariz.
authors.forename: Dawn P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Pruzansky
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Orthodontic Program, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A. T. Still University, Mesa, Ariz.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grubb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000193:education*; D013044:Specialty Boards; D014481:United States