Welcome to the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine.
Information relating to the Application Process
Application Process
Application Process Diplomate Application Submission Guidelines
Candidates for Diplomate status may submit their require documents via email to Admin@ABCDSM.org
APPLICATION Process is open for 2026. The current test is available through our LMS system at all times with virtual proctoring offered all year long.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to retain copies of their application and supporting documentation in their personal files.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the ABCDSM receives all application and supporting materials on or before the stated deadline.
Candidates for ABCDSM Diplomate status must submit documentation of completion of supplementary requirements upon application.
The list of required supporting materials accompanying the completed application include:
- Copy of active dental license
- Proof of required 50 continuing education hours
- Proof of on-site sleep medicine observation
- 2 Letters of recommendation
- Submission of 10 patient case histories
All supplementary requirements must be submitted at the time of application EXCEPT for the 10 patient case studies. Successful submission of the patient case studies must be completed within 12 months of submission of the application.
Detailed information on the supporting documentation can be found on the requirements page of this website or by clicking on the following link https://abcdsm.org/requirements-1
All documents must be submitted via email before they take the online examination.
Applicants with Disabilities
The ABCDSM recognizes that individuals with disabilities may wish to take the examination and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with verified disabilities. The ABCDSM supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants are reminded, however, that auxiliary aids (and services) can only be offered if they do not fundamentally alter the measurement of skills or knowledge the examination is intended to test (Americans with Disabilities Act, Public Law 101-336).
Applicants who wish to request accommodations due to a disability must advise the ABCDSM in writing that they will need an accommodation and what that is.The applicant may be asked to submit appropriate documentation of the disability and a description of previous accommodations provided during other examinations. If the ABCDSM deems it necessary, an independent medical assessment may be requested at the expense of the ABCDSM.
Application Fees
Please visit the annuals dues and application page on this website to submit.
Withdrawals and Refunds
Refunds
Once paid online refunds are not issued.
Reapplication
Applicants who do not successfully complete the ABCDSM credentialing examination and/or fail to submit satisfactory documentation of completion of supplementary requirements may reapply the following year by submitting a new application, including a copy of their current dental license and application fee. Any missing materials will render the application incomplete and it will not be reviewed until it is complete.
When reapplying, in terms of supplementary requirements, candidates for Diplomate status in the ABCDSM may use the same letters of recommendation/sponsorship, verification of sleep medicine observation, and patient case summaries. However, only three (3) of the expanded patient case studies from the previous year shall be accepted.
ABCDSM Application Checklist
The following is a list of items which must be completed and submitted by all candidates seeking the status of Diplomate, American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine:
- A copy of your current dental license with expiration date. (Note: If your dental license will expire before the examination date, a renewed copy of your dental license must be submitted to the ABCP by the application deadline.)
- Successful completion of the Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine Exam
- Supplementary Requirements (forms can be found HERE)
- Exhibit A: Continuing Education Credits
- Exhibit B: Written Documentation from a Board-Certified Sleep Physician
- Exhibit C: Patient Case Summaries
- Exhibit D-1: Expanded Patient Case Study (1 of 5)
- Exhibit D-2: Expanded Patient Case Study (2 of 5)
- Exhibit D-3: Expanded Patient Case Study (3 of 5)
- Exhibit D-4: Expanded Patient Case Study (4 of 5)
- Exhibit D-5: Expanded Patient Case Study (5 of 5)
- Exhibit E: Letter of Recommendation/Sponsorship (1 of 2)
- Exhibit F: Letter of Recommendation/Sponsorship (2 of 2)
- Application fee payment for newly credentialing providers
- If Applicable: A written explanation of a personal disability for which we must make special arrangements to accommodate you at the examination plus a letter from a qualified professional documenting your disability.
Please submit all documentation to us at admin@abcdsm.org.
Supplementary Requirements
Valid Dental License
Valid Dental License
Valid Dental License
Please submit a copy of your current dental license
Written exam
Valid Dental License
Valid Dental License
Proof of successful completion of the Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine Exam (PROVIDED ONLINE NOW)
Professional Recommendations
Letters of Recommendation
Submit two (2) letters of recommendation, clearly labelled Exhibit E and Exhibit F.
These letters may be obtained from a board-certified sleep physician (MD, DO or PhD) and/or a Diplomate of the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine, a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, or a Diplomate of the American Board of Craniofacial Pain in good standing
Written documentation from a board-certified sleep physician .
Written documentation from a board-certified sleep physician (i.e., MD, DO or PhD) that you have completed at least ten (10) hours of on-site sleep medicine observation, which must include a minimum of five (5) hours witnessing the operations of an accredited sleep laboratory [i.e., interactions between patients and laboratory staff; preparation for, and administration of, polysomnograms (PSGs); data acquisition, etc.].
Additional hours necessary to fulfill this requirement may also include time in the office of a board-certified sleep physician reviewing PSG scoring and interpretation, sleep medicine and dental sleep medicine practice parameters, therapeutic interventions, plus treatment compliance rates and outcomes. (Note: The sleep physician who furnishes the documentation, which should be clearly labeled Exhibit B, must be personally associated with the sleep laboratory at which you choose to do your observation.)
Patient Case Studies
Patient Case Summaries
A total of five (5) Patient Case Summaries are required. For each case, the pre-treatment PSG must be formally interpreted by a board-certified sleep physician (i.e., MD, DO or PhD) whose diagnosis must reflect an AHI >10 and be clearly documented. The post-treatment PSG must also be interpreted by a board-certified sleep physician.
Home sleep tests (HSTs) may be utilized as pre- and post-treatment PSGs when read and scored by a board-certified sleep physician. HSTs that are not read and scored by a board-certified sleep physician are not acceptable, and cannot be used to document pre- or post-treatment AHI.
At least three (3) of the required five (5) Patient Case Summaries must be successful responders with post-treatment AHI reduced in half plus relief of subjective symptoms. Two (2) Patient Case Summaries of unsuccessful or non-responders, either surgical or non-surgical, may be included. Patient case summaries involving non-responders must be accompanied by detailed written explanations of possible reasons for non-responses to treatment.
Example case studies are available in the previous section that includes the downloadable documents for the credentialing process
Expanded Patient Case Studies:
Five (5) Expanded Patient Case studies are required. Pre-treatment and post-treatment PSGs for each case 1) may be administered at an accredited sleep laboratory or as a home sleep test, 2) must be read and scored by a board-certified sleep physician, and 3) must document successful cases in patients with pre-treatment AHI >10 and post-treatment AHI reduced by one-half plus relief of subjective symptoms.
Documentation of pre-treatment PSG and diagnosis by a board-certified sleep physician must be included whether the PSG is administered at an accredited sleep laboratory or as a home sleep study. Post-treatment PSG must also be read and scored by a board-certified sleep physician, and may also be completed at an accredited sleep laboratory or as a home sleep study.
The above-mentioned Expanded Patient Case Studies should include justification of any treatment plus documentation thereof, which shall consist of the following:
- A typed summary/overview of each Expanded Patient Case Study that includes: the patient's chief complaint, history of present illness, pertinent past dental/medical history, clinical and radiographic examination findings, diagnosis, treatment results and case disposition. The specific FDA-approved appliance used in treatment must be identified and the rationale for its selection must be provided. (Note: Cases involving the use of appliances that are not FDA-approved shall not be accepted.)
- Dental/Medical History (i.e., a thorough review of the patient's past and current history)
- Clinical Examination Results (i.e., the patient's chief complaint, clinical signs and symptoms, a description of the patient's general condition at the inception of treatment, etc.)
- Pre-Treatment PSG (i.e., a laboratory or home sleep study, read and scored by a board-certified sleep physician with clear documentation of the diagnosis)
- Pre-treatment diagnostic images, including:
- Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), panoramic or full mouth series.
- Three (3) intraoral images of the patient's dentition in occlusion: 1 anterior view, 1 right lateral view, plus 1 left lateral view.
- Photographs of casts/study models as follows:
- One (1) photograph of full upper and lower casts/study models;
- Three (3) pre-treatment photographs of articulated models in centric occlusion consisting of: 1 anterior view, 1 right lateral view plus 1 left lateral view;
- Three (3) pre-treatment photographs of casts/study models with bite registration in place consisting of: 1 anterior view, 1 right lateral view, plus 1 left lateral view;
- A photo of the patient's bite registration on articulated casts/models; AND,
- One (1) anterior view of the patient's dentition with the appliance properly fitted and placed.
- Treatment Plan (i.e., a recommended plan of treatment with alternative plans as appropriate)
- Clinical Procedures (i.e., a presentation of the clinical procedures for the case)
- Post-Treatment PSG (i.e., a laboratory or home sleep study, read and scored by a board-certified sleep physician)
- Documentation of a minimum of three (3) follow-up appointments with the last follow-up appointment at least three (3) months after the date of calibration and delivery of the patient's oral appliance.
- General Documentation (clear and precise, with the quality of imaging and other data sufficient to derive the information recorded)
Example expanded case studies are available in the previous section that includes the downloadable documents for the credentialing process