A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the soft tissues of the mouth and the underlying jawbone which supports the teeth.  This involves completing an additional three years of residency training after graduation from an accredited dental school.  The primary focus of this residency training is on both surgical and non surgical management of periodontal disease and the placement of dental implants.

What is required for a specialist to be certified?

A specialist is certified as an expert after successfully completing an approved training program AND passing both written and oral examinations held by the national association. 

A certified periodontist may have one or more of the following designations after his name:

• Diplomate of the ABP
• FRCD(C)

A Diplomate is a periodontist who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty and who is certified by the American Board of Periodontology (ABP).

In addition, ABP certification requires recertification every six years.

A Fellow in the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, (FRCD(C)) is a dentist who has successfully completed the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE), has been awarded a Fellowship diploma, has subscribed to the declaration, has paid the prescribed fees, is in good moral and ethical standing in the profession, has graduated from a post-graduate program acceptable to the College, and is associated with a specialty recognized by the Canadian Dental Association or possesses special qualifications in the dental sciences as may be determined by Council.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

www.rcdc.ca

www.abperio.org