Working Together for the Specialty

Posted in College of Diplomates | April 25, 2016

By Randolph Todd, D.M.D., president, College of Diplomates of the American Board of Endodontics

As the outgoing president of the College of Diplomates, I would like to say “thank you” to the AAE for providing me with the opportunity to reach out to all AAE members on behalf of the COD. It has been a privilege to serve on the Board of Directors for the past six years, first as the chairman of the Board Review Course and Scientific Update, and this year as president.

During this term I have worked with a fabulous group of inspiring individuals, each of whom possess a common admirable trait. This was to unselfishly donate their valuable time and energy to entice our membership to participate in the Board-certification process. Having an American Board of Endodontics and the Board-certification process are not only American Dental Association requirements for our specialty’s recognition, but they establish a level of personal pride and professional accomplishment acknowledged positively by everyone.

The ABE Board of Directors has worked hard to make the certification process more user-friendly and attainable than ever before. These changes now allow graduating endodontic residents to take their Written Exams at the end of their programs while the information is fresh in their minds. In addition, the new, computerized case presentation format helps to easily organize cases. Finally, applicants can choose from three options for the sequence in which they take their exams.

The success of the Board-certification process would not be possible without the AAE, ABE and COD working in tandem to promote Diplomate status. Many of the COD and AAE’s continuing education events support this goal, including these upcoming meetings:

July 15-16: The APICES program for residents will be hosted at the University of Michigan.
September 14-18: College of Diplomates will have its Summer Conference at the Chѓteau ђlan Winery and Resort in Braselton, Georgia.
November 10-12: AAE will hold its Insight Track meeting on the topic of retreatment in CancЈn, Mexico.

These are just a few of the spectacular continuing education programs that your professional organizations are offering. The professional educational process continues through the state licensing requirement. I urge you to immerse yourself in the wealth of information at your fingertips. Join your peers and raise the bar – we as a group can make a difference.

I would like to challenge endodontists to raise the percentage of Diplomates within our profession by just one percent each year. In 20 years, we could double our present level! Apply to start the Board-certification process today. The College of Diplomates has a variety of resources available to help you study for the exams.

I wish you all great success. Thank you again for the privilege of serving our profession.

Dr. Randolph Todd is in private practice in New York, New York, and an assistant clinical professor at Stony Brook University School of Medicine.