Since its establishment by the WFO in 2020, the Society of Orthodontic Specialty Certifying Boards (SOSCB) has focused on how best to support and advise WFO affiliate organizations and national certifying bodies on the development of orthodontic program curricula and board certification processes. All SOSCB member organizations were invited to have representatives participate in the SOSCB’s most recent virtual meeting on November 17, 2024, and most did so, with 20 national board representatives in attendance.
SOSCB Chair Dr. Valmy Kulbersh led the meeting, joined by SOSCB committee members Dr. Eric Liou and Dr. Ricardo Machado-Cruz, who helped welcome the representatives and provide information. The meeting focused on the challenges of instituting widespread board certification. Concerns raised by Dr. Mala Ram Manohar, vice chair of the Indian Board of Orthodontics, echoed those from many other countries, particularly regarding motivating orthodontists to pursue certification and standardizing exams across large nations with varying clinical standards.
Another key topic discussed was the upcoming Society of Orthodontic Specialty Certifying Boards Symposium, scheduled for October 22, 2025, during the 10th WFO International Orthodontic Congress (IOC). The goal of the event is to encourage the formation of new orthodontic board certification agencies worldwide. Dr. Machado-Cruz, also the vice chair of the IOC, shared details about the IOC Global Educators Forum, a separate pre-conference activity that will not conflict with the SOSCB Symposium. Both events require registration by April 18.
The SOSCB strongly believes that orthodontic board certification is essential to improving the quality of care globally and protecting the public from substandard treatment provided by unqualified practitioners. Dr. Kulbersh presented the plan for the IOC symposium, which will feature a keynote speech by Dr. Jae Park, 2024–25 president of the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), and an update on the ABO certification process by Dr. Roberto F. Hernández Orsini, 2025–26 ABO president. The symposium will also include round table discussions, led by table leaders who will summarize conclusions at the end. Topics of discussion will include:
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Identification of barriers to board certification, exam format, work for the societies, and benefits of board certification.
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Feasible modifications of board certification processes in each region/country.
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Ways to increase the number of board-certified orthodontists in each region/country, and strategies to create value, such as public education about certified vs. non-certified orthodontists.
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Requirements for board certification, identifying commonalities and practical solutions.
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Whether educators should encourage their graduates to obtain board certification immediately after residency using clinical cases treated during their program.
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How regional boards and the SOSCB can assist orthodontic programs in promoting board certification.
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Whether initial certification exams should be conducted remotely, how a remote exam might be structured, and whether institutions have the facilities to support this.
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Whether a change in case requirements could help residents become board certified using residency cases, and what such changes might involve.
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Educators’ perspectives on the value of board certification.
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Preferences regarding exam formats: a 2-step process (written and scenario-based clinical cases) versus a 1-step hybrid exam including multiple-choice questions and clinical scenarios.
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What boards can do to promote and support certification expertise worldwide.
