Applicant Information

Application Information

  • To determine eligibility.
    NON-REFUNDABLE

  • Can be retaken up to 2 times before needing to start over with a new application.

  • All attempts must be completed within the 3 year Board Eligibility Period.

  • Includes the need to confirm SCDA membership and Diplomate dues paid for the last 10 years as well as 200 CE in special care dentistry (with documented proof) over the last 10 year

Accommodations

The ABSCD complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act to accommodate candidates who demonstrate a need for accommodation. Accommodation is provided on an individual basis based on the documentation provided and the requirements of the examination.

ABSCD will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate examinees. Accommodation must not fundamentally alter the skills and knowledge measured by the examination or create an undue burden to the organization.

To seek accommodation, the following must be submitted with the initial application:

Professional certification: The specific accommodation must be documented by the candidate’s doctor or other qualified professional on official letterhead. The letter must include:

  • Certifying professional: Their qualifications, address, telephone number, and original signature.
  • Candidate information: Candidate’s name and date(s) of evaluation(s).
  • Limitations: The candidate’s specific disability-related limitations as they relate to the examination
  • Recommendations: The accommodation(s) requested to reduce the identified limitations as they pertain to participation in the ABSCD examination.


Previous accommodation: Documentation of previous accommodation, if any, provided by educational institutions or other testing agencies.

This documentation will assist ABSCD in determining whether the individual qualifies for an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Based on the submitted documentation, ABSCD may grant or deny the request or seek additional information.


Initial Application

A candidate applying for certification by the ABSCD shall have met the following requirements:

  1. Has to be a member in good standing of SCDA
  2. Graduate from an accredited dental program with a DDS, DMD, or an internationally equivalent degree
  3. Meet at least one of the following criteria:

- Attained Fellowship in SCDA, one of the SCDA affiliate organizations (AAHD, ADPD, ASGD), or the Royal College of Dentists: Special Care Dentistry
- Completed a residency of at least 2 years in length. Examples include a 2-year General Practice Residency, Advanced Education in General Dentistry, Advanced Education in Oral Medicine, or other specialty residency program


Eligibility Proof

Oral Exam Case Presentation Submission

For those taking the Oral Examination, 3 case presentations are required. Case files must be submitted to ABSCD approximately two weeks prior to the oral examination date. 

Appropriate Case Selection

The patient must be an individual whose physical, medical, developmental or cognitive conditions limit their ability to receive routine dental care. The case must have sufficient progress in order to complete the details required. Cases do not need to be completed but substantial progress needs to be made with an end in sight or explanation as to why treatment is delayed or will be ongoing.

Additionally, each of the three cases must represent one of the case selection categories below. While there may be overlap in the categories, the candidate must identify a different primary category for each of the three cases.

  1. Person with a developmental disability
  2. Person with cognitive/intellectual impairment
  3. Person with complex medical problems
  4. Person with significant physical limitations
  5. Person with a social situation that impacts assessment/care
  6. Person with mental health disorder
  7. Vulnerable older adult

See Handbook for more details.

Case 1

Case 2

Case 3

Recertification Application

Recertification is designed to ensure a level of continued competence through the ongoing enhancement of knowledge and skills in the field of special care dentistry credentialing. Diplomates will be required to recertify once every ten years, at the time of the expiration of the certification. Diplomates must meet the following requirements every ten years to maintain their certification.

  1. Pass the certification requirements in effect at the time application for recertification is made or complete an alternative process that ABSCD Board of Directors may designate.
  2. Be an active member of the SCDA in good standing with the ABSCD.
  3. Provide appropriate verification of completion of 200 continuing education hours in related fields of special care dentistry within those ten years.


Authorization for release of information and acknowledgement of obligations

I authorize the American Board of Special Care Dentistry (ABSCD) to make whatever inquiries and investigations that it deems necessary or appropriate to verify my credentials and professional standing in order for me to qualify to sit for the certification exam for which I am applying. Further, I understand that the ABSCD will treat the contents of this application as well as all documents relating to certification as confidential, except as necessary to administer the certification program.

I understand that after earning the credential(s), I am responsible for complying with all obligations for maintaining the credential, including obtaining the required continuing education credits within the specified time period and for making application for renewal of my certification. I further understand that it is my responsibility to inform ABSCD of any changes in my mailing address.

Content of the exam (exam questions and answer choices) is considered confidential information. As a candidate for the exam, I attest that I will not disclose any confidential information regarding the content of the exam in any form, e.g. written, electronic, oral, overheard, or observed. I understand that signing this attestation and complying with its terms is required. Furthermore, I acknowledge that I am bound by the Code of Ethics for ABSCD Diplomates and any other rules of conduct that SCDA or ABSCD may adopt and that violation of any of these may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of the credential. I agree to cooperate fully in any ABSCD or SCDA investigation or proceeding involving alleged misconduct.

I certify that all information provided to satisfy my eligibility to sit for the exam is true, correct, and complete. I fully understand that any significant misstatements or omissions may cause me to be ineligible to sit for the exam. I understand and agree that any misrepresentation, misstatement, or omission from this application, if discovered after certification has been awarded to me, may lead to revocation of the credential.

I have read and understand the information provided in the ABSCD Candidate Handbook. I declare that all information provided on my application is true. I understand that false information may be cause for denial or loss of the credential. I understand that I can be disqualified from taking or continuing to sit for an examination or from receiving examination scores, or I may have my examination scores disqualified, if the ABSCD, in its sole judgment, determines through either proctor observation or statistical analysis that I engaged in collaborative, disruptive, or other inappropriate behavior related to administration of the examination.

I further authorize ABSCD to release my current certification status at any time post-certification upon request (either written or verbal). I acknowledge that it is the policy of ABSCD not to release information regarding the scores obtained on the exams or to release information regarding the number of times a candidate has sat for the exams.

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