American Board of Orthodontics: past, present, and future.

The American Board of Orthodontics was founded in 1929 and is the oldest specialty board in dentistry. It was initiated by Dr Albert Ketcham and several colleagues who believed that the specialty of orthodontics should have a certifying body. The certificate issued by the Board was then and has continued to signify a certification of attainment. It does not confer any legal qualification, privilege, or license to practice orthodontics. It is not a professional or academic degree. The mission of the American Board of Orthodontics is to establish and maintain the highest standards of clinical excellence. In its mission statement, the Board defines 4 objectives: (1) to evaluate the knowledge and clinical competency of graduates of accredited orthodontic programs; (2) to reevaluate clinical competency throughout a diplomate’s career through recertification; (3) to contribute to the development of quality graduate, postgraduate, and continuing education programs in orthodontics; and (4) to contribute to certification expertise throughout the world.