Intended to foster excellence in your practice, these awards consist of a logical progression of requirements.
Achievement
Fellowship
Diplomate
These credentials send a powerful signal to your patient community.
Level Descriptions and Requirements
General Requirements for All Awards
- Deadline for any award application is two months prior to the annual Spring Diplomates meeting.
- The candidate will be required to attach a list to this application of the continuing education courses taken to fulfill the requirements. The list should be accompanied by documentation to verify your attendance, such as an AGD print-out, copies of course certificates, letters verifying your attendance, etc.
- The attached course list should include the date(s) of the course, the subject matter, and the name of the sponsor or lecturer. The AOS will keep this on file for future applications.
- Only those courses, institutes, seminars, programs and meetings which contribute to the practitioner’s increased orthodontic knowledge and/or ability to treat orthodontic patients shall qualify toward the continuing education requirement of each award. One hour credit for each hour in actual course attendance will be allowed.
- Courses in orthodontics from the allowing sponsors shall be approved and evaluated by the Academy of Diplomates Board of Examiners:
- Academy of General Dentistry
- Academy of GP Orthodontics
- Gerety Orthodontic Seminars
- Accredited Dental Schools
- ADA and its components and constituents
- ADA CERP or AGD Pace recognized courses
- American Orthodontic Society, Inc.
- Courses sponsored by State Boards of Dentistry
- International Association for Orthodontics
- American Association of Functional Orthodontics
- Recognized and specialty organizations of the ADA
- Study club courses approved by one of the above listed organizations
- Other sponsors approved by the Academy of Diplomates – these may include and not be limited to aligner therapy courses, international courses, and other courses of special consideration
- A continuing education course in orthodontics will be defined as a course that would increase the practitioner’s knowledge and skill. These courses are not limited in scope to one particular system of treatment. They can include a variety of current levels of accepted orthodontic methodologies and diagnoses. An application should show broad exposure to an instructional background, which would enable the applicant to excel in rendering orthodontic services to his/her patients.
- A maximum of 70 continuing education hours will be given for:
- A published paper on orthodontics or a video presentation. Twenty hours given for each
- Lecture or table clinics presented on orthodontics. Each lecture must be on a different subject matter. Allotted time for presentation will be given for each, double time on first time presentation of lecture material
- Courses presented to recognized study clubs. Allotted time for presentation will be given for each, double time on first time presentation of lecture material
Award Level Specific Requirements
The Achievement Award is a natural first step toward gaining Board Eligibility and eventually becoming a
Diplomate of the American Orthodontic Society, Inc.
The requirements are:
- Active membership in the AOS for three consecutive years prior to application
- Proof of attendance at continuing education courses in orthodontics totaling a minimum of 350 clock hours, of which a minimum of 100 clock hours must be from AOS-sponsored courses.
- The final selection will be by the authority of the Academy Board of Examiners
- An Achievement Award certificate will be furnished to recipients and special recognition will be given at the annual Spring Diplomates meeting. Recipients are not required to be present.
- A non-refundable fee of $100.00 must accompany your application
The Fellowship Award (formerly Board Eligible) is to recognize the members who seek to gain more orthodontic knowledge through continuing education courses. The Fellowship program is the second step (following the Achievement Award) toward Diplomate status.
The requirements are:
- A candidate must have previously received the Achievement Award
- Active membership in the AOS for five consecutive years prior to application
- Proof of attendance at continuing education courses in orthodontics for a minimum of 500 clock hours, of which a minimum of 100 clock hours must be from AOS-sponsored courses
- Each candidate is required to prepare complete records of one case using the guidelines established by the Academy Board of Examiners (see “Case Requirements” on page 7 of handbook). This case will be evaluated by the examiners and discussed with the presenter. The purpose for displaying this case is to prepare you for the protocol when presenting the (10) cases for Diplomate
- Candidates will be required to sit for a written examination compiled by the examining board
- The final selection will be by the authority of the Academy Board of Examiners
- The Fellowship awards will be presented at the annual Spring Diplomates meeting of the AOS
- The candidate must be present at both the Spring Diplomates Meeting AND the AOS annual meeting to receive the Fellowship Award
- A non-refundable fee of $350 must accompany your application
- Achievement and Fellowship Awards may be received the same year
A Diplomate of the Academy of Diplomates of the American Orthodontic Society shall be a dentist who has been approved by the Academy Board of Examiners.
The requirements are:
- Candidates must have previously received the Fellowship/Board Eligible Award at a previous meeting
- Five consecutive years of membership in the AOS prior to application.
- A candidate must present ten completed orthodontic cases with pre and post treatment records (See “Case Requirements” on page 7 of Handbook)
- The candidate must take an oral review/exam before the examining board
- A non-refundable fee of $700 must accompany your application
- One case must be in digital format and will be submitted to the Journal of the American Orthodontic Society
- The final selection will be by the authority of the Academy Board of Examiners
- The Diplomate Awards will be presented at both the Spring Diplomates Meeting AND the Annual Meeting of the AOS and the applicant must be present at BOTH meetings
