NCRDSCB

Prior to the establishment of the National Commission, the American Dental Association (ADA) delegated to the Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL) the authority to study and make recommendations on the recognition of dental specialty sponsoring organizations and certifying boards to the ADA House of Delegates, based on the Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialties and National Certifying Boards for Dental Specialists (Requirements for Recognition).

In 2016, the ADA Board of Trustees directed the Task Force on Specialty and Specialty Certifying Board Recognition to evaluate the process and criteria used to recognize dental specialties and certifying boards. The Board and the Task Force agreed that the recognition process must:

• Be grounded in objective standards that protect the public, nurture the art and science of dentistry and improve the quality of care
• Serve to reduce real and/or perceived conflicts of interest and bias
• Include multiple review steps, including provisions for appeal
• Operate similar to the other commissions housed within the ADA
• Include representation from the ADA ( general dentists) and each of the recognized dental specialties
• Build on the expertise developed by the Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL) and be grounded in the existing Requirements for Recognition
• Be financially prudent and not place a burden on the ADA or on dental specialty sponsoring organizations

To accomplish these principles, the Task Force proposed the creation of a National Commission, noting that formation of an independent commission would address real and perceived conflicts of interest and bias in the decision-making process. This step would also conform to national standards and public expectations for establishing objective processes, applying clear standards and making high-stakes decisions. The National Commission held its inaugural meeting in May 2018.

View the full history on the Establishment of the National Commission (PDF)

The National Commission serves the public and the dental profession by providing transparent and objective review of the recognized specialty sponsoring organizations, prospective specialty sponsoring organizations, their respective certifying boards and their adherence to the Requirements for Recognition.

Our vision is held to be the standard of excellence and professionalism in recognition of dental specialties and dental specialty certifying boards. Our guiding values are objectivity, integrity, transparency, consistency and professionalism.

The National Commission does not act as a mediator, nor does it intervene on behalf of any organizations or individuals or act as an arbitrator between disputing organizations. We are independent in our decision-making process, ensuring that bias and conflicts of interest are avoided.

Requirements set by the National Commission are designed to help dental professionals excel throughout their careers and help the public ascertain the importance of educational qualified and board certified dental specialists. We do not, however, provide recognition or credentials for individual professionals.

The 25 National Commission members are selected by and represent the:

• American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
• American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• American Academy of Oral Medicine
• American Academy of Orofacial Pain
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• American Academy of Periodontology
• American Association of Endodontists
• American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• American Association of Orthodontists
• American Association of Public Health Dentistry
• American College of Prosthodontists
• American Dental Association
• American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists
• General public (one of the 25 members)

Meet our current commissioners

No. The National Commission recognizes the dental specialty sponsoring organizations and their respective certifying boards, but does not recognize or credential individuals.

No. Only disciplines of dentistry that can achieve and maintain compliance with the Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialties will become recognized by the National Commission.

Compliance consists of:

1. Representation by a sponsoring organization whose membership is reflective of the proposed specialty.
2. Must be a distinct and well-defined field which requires unique knowledge and skills beyond those commonly possessed by dental school graduates.
3. The scope of the specialty requires advanced knowledge and skills that is separate and distinct from the knowledge and skills required to practice in any of the other recognized specialties and cannot be accommodated through minimal modification of a recognized specialty.
4. Must be able to document scientifically, valid and reliable statistical evidence/studies that (a) actively contributes to new knowledge in the field, (b) actively contributes to professional education; (c) actively contributes to research needs of the profession; and (d) provides oral health services in the field of study for the public.
5. Must directly benefit some aspect of clinical patient care.
6. Must have advanced dental education programs of at least two years accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

To learn more, please get in touch with us.

By mail:
American Dental Association
National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards
401 North Michigan Ave
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60611-4250

By phone:
800-621-8099, ext. 2697
Catherine Baumann, Director, 312-440-2697

By email:
nationalcommission@ada.org