The PBPD welcomed its newest diplomate this year in simple ceremonies during its annual general membership meeting in July. As it moves forward, the PBPD is pleased to see increased interest in the diplomate certification process and in the accreditation of advanced programs in pediatric dentistry, two of the major mandates of the Board.
Training hospitals that have pediatric dentistry training programs understand the importance of program accreditation. The program accreditation process is a systematic method that provides standards and evaluations to ensure that programs meet specialty-specific standards and have "the educational resources and capabilities" to deliver effective training. Needless to say, an experienced and proficient faculty whose members have successfully challenged the diplomate examination process and are in the diplomate roster of the PBPD become a strong point for any training program. While the diplomate process is purely voluntary, more graduates of specialty training programs begin to see the favorable opportunities that open to them in the academe, in hospital privileges for practice not to mention the personal validation of a specialist's expertise and competence upon completion of the diplomate process.
We encourage more specialists to complete the examination process and become diplomates to experience the sense of professional achievement and realize the opportunities that come with diplomate certification.