Our Mission
American Board of Advanced General Dentistry (ABAGD)
The mission of the ABAGD is to advance the quality and safety of advanced general dentistry through rigorous, fair, and transparent certification. We recognize and honor dentists who demonstrate exceptional knowledge, sound clinical judgment, and the highest ethical standards across the full scope of general dental practice.
Purpose & Focus
- Public Protection: Promote safe, evidence-based care and patient-centered outcomes.
- Professional Excellence: Set and maintain clear competency standards for advanced general dentistry.
- Lifelong Learning: Encourage continued education, reflective practice, and quality improvement.
- Fair Assessment: Deliver examinations that are valid, reliable, and accessible.
- Ethical Leadership: Model integrity, transparency, and accountability in governance.
What We Do
1) Certification Pathway
A two-stage certification process (Written and Oral) designed to evaluate knowledge, diagnostic ability, treatment planning, and comprehensive patient care.
- Eligibility verification and document review
- Written exam blueprint reflecting core domains
- Oral exam with case analysis and clinical reasoning
2) Standards & Policies
We publish and enforce clear standards covering candidate conduct, exam security, retakes, appeals, and ongoing certification maintenance.
- Exam integrity and proctoring protocols
- Equitable accommodations and appeal processes
- Periodic review to keep standards current
3) Continuing Education & Development
We promote continuing education, case review, and mentorship programs that reinforce safe, modern, and patient-centered care.
- Curated CE topics tied to exam domains
- Guidance on outcomes tracking and audits
Our Values
- Integrity: Honest processes and impartial decisions.
- Equity: Fair access to exams and accommodations.
- Scientific Rigor: Decisions anchored in peer-reviewed evidence.
- Respect: Professional, courteous conduct with candidates and the public.
- Service: Duty to patients, communities, and the profession.
Domains of Advanced General Dentistry
- Diagnosis & Treatment Planning
- Restorative & Biomaterials
- Implant Dentistry & Prosthodontics
- Periodontics & Surgical Principles
- Endodontics & Emergencies
- Occlusion & TMD Considerations
- Oral Medicine & Pathology
- Medical Considerations & Pharmacology
- Radiology & CBCT Fundamentals
- Pediatric & Special Care Considerations
- Practice Management & Ethics
- Infection Control & Safety
Candidate Promise
How We Measure Impact
Ethics & Governance
- Conflict-of-interest disclosures for board members and examiners.
- Separation of policy-setting from individual case decisions where appropriate.
- Defined terms for leadership roles and routine performance review.
- Documented exam security and incident response procedures.
Maintenance of Certification
- Ongoing CE aligned with core domains.
- Periodic verification of licensure and good standing.
- Professional conduct attestation and ethics review.
Collaboration & Outreach
- Dialogue with dental education programs and hospitals for examiner development.
- Participation in scientific meetings and candidate workshops.
- Exploration of international frameworks for recognition and mobility.
Roadmap 2025–2027
- Year 1: finalize blueprints, publish candidate guidance, strengthen examiner calibration.
- Year 2: expand candidate support materials, enhance accessibility and accommodations workflows.
- Year 3: evaluate outcomes data, refine domains, and broaden collaborative activity.
What We Do vs. What We Don’t
We Do
- Certify dentists who meet advanced general practice standards.
- Publish clear rules, deadlines, and exam information.
- Maintain fair appeals and accommodations processes.
We Don’t
- Provide individual treatment advice or replace the treating dentist’s judgment.
- Sell exam content or disclose confidential materials.
- Compromise on integrity to increase pass rates.
Contact & Feedback
For formal statements, policies, or candidate guidance, please refer to ABAGD published materials. Candidates and stakeholders are welcome to provide structured feedback to support continuous improvement.