Welcome to the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics!

The College is an organization of orthodontists who are certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. College membership is open to any board-certified orthodontist.

The College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics was founded in 1979 with the following purposes:

  • to encourage professional development among orthodontists
  • to provide a forum for board certified orthodontists to interact scientifically and socially
  • to encourage orthodontists to become board-certified

To address these goals, the College…

  • provides family-oriented, continuing education meetings to enhance the quality of orthodontic care available to the public. The College holds an Annual Meeting where members and nonmembers may attend educational sessions. Registration material will be mailed to members and posted to this website.  Check our Annual Meeting page for specific locations and sessions offered.
  • publishes a brochure to explain the meaning of being a diplomate to patients and parents. 
  • hosts events at the AAO Annual Session to recognize diplomates and disseminate information about board certification to non-certified orthodontists.
  • offers Prep Courses to assist in preparing for the ABO new Scenario-based Oral Clinical Examination to achieve board certification. Check our Prep Course page for specific locations and sessions offered.
  • assists with advocacy to encourage ABO certification to all CODA-accredited orthodontic residency programs in the United States and Canada.
  • publishes The Diplomate newsletter.