A. Why become a Diplomate?
People have different motivation for doing things. It is the Board’s hope that the pediatric dentistry specialists who choose to go through the certification process are doing it for the right reasons. These reasons are couched in the ethical fiber of our specialty:
Personal Growth
There is a significant amount of personal growth and satisfaction in becoming Board Certified. In many ways this may be the best reason for becoming Board Certified.
Confidence
The Board experience instills confidence in the candidate and in the Diplomate. There is nothing like the acceptance that you receive from your peers. Board certification is gratifying. The Diplomate badge means that you have a gone a step beyond.
Increased Competency
There is an increased level of professional competency because of the self-analysis that is required to become Board Certified. The Board Certified Pediatric Dentist has laid out his work for his peers and said "Here it is, and tell me what you think".
Learning Experience
Board certification implies that the pediatric dentist is a lifelong student. One becomes stale and stagnant if there is no learning. Learning is life-long and Board experience will stimulate the clinician to do just that.
Improved Standards
The Board strives to improve standards of pediatric dentistry in the country. The person who continues in the certification process is helping with that effort.
B. What are the benefits of Board Certification?
The benefits of Board certification can be found within each individual. The conscientious Board-certified pediatric dentist knows and understands that Board certification does not make one better than the pediatric dentist next door. But it will make one better than he/she was before. It is something one does for himself/herself.
There are no disadvantages to the certification process. The only disadvantage is never doing it. It is for the clinicians who are committed to the specialty, who find stimulation in acquiring increased knowledge and skill and who wish to go the step beyond. It enhances the record-keeping system in any pediatric dentistry office. Records have to be well-documented for Board Certification. It is a good habit to develop. Board Certification is an excellent means of evaluating and improving one’s treatment results.
It gives each of us a look inward at ourselves to become better than we were.
C. Why is board certification and maintaining certification important?
Maintaining board certification by the PBPD helps demonstrate to the public that a pediatric dentist meets globally recognized standards for education, knowledge, experience, and skills and maintains their certification through continuous learning and practice improvement in order to provide high quality care in the field of Pediatric Dentistry.
D. Who is a board certified diplomate?
A dentist who has met all the requirements for certification and has passed the four phases of the exam process given by the PBPD is considered a diplomate of the board.
E. What is the difference between board certification and dental licensure?
All dentists in the Philippines must be licensed in order to practice dental medicine, but they are not required to be certified. A dental license is issued by the PRC Board of Dentistry. Certification requirements go above and beyond licensing requirements. It is not conducted by the PRC BOD but by the PBPD. Earning and maintaining board certification in Pediatric Dentistry represents a pediatric dentist’s commitment to continually expand and refresh his knowledge and expertise in the practice of Pediatric Dentistry.