information related to the ABCDSM Diplomate Status

 What is a Diplomate? 

Earning "Diplomate" status in the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine (ABCDSM) is an important professional achievement that signifies to patients plus dental, medical and other healthcare professionals that the dentist has met the highest standards of care as set forth by the ABCDSM. In addition, dentists who are ABCDSM board-certified abide by the ABCDSM Code of Ethics and continuously refresh their knowledge and skills by participating in the ABCP Maintenance of Certification program.
 

ABCDSM certification does not denote specialty status nor does it confer or imply any legal qualification, licensure or privilege in professional activities. The ABCDSM adheres to the American Dental Association Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional conduct and advises all ABCDSM-credentialing dentists to follow the code when advertising their status. It is also recommended that individual dentists consult their state or local regulatory agency and adhere to their requirements.

Diplomate, American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine (ABCDSM):

"Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine" is the area of dentistry that focuses on the management of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), including but not limited to snoring, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). SDB can be isolated or it can coexist with other respiratory, nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine issues. 

A multifactorial understanding of the nature of sleep is, therefore, essential to achieving optimal outcomes from dental management protocols that may range from extremely conservative measures of weight loss and sleep position change to variations of oral appliance therapy (OAT) or combination therapy [i.e., blending OAT with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or blending OAT with surgery]. SDB diagnosis must be determined by a sleep physician. 

Management of SDB patients who are candidates for dental management with OAT (and its variations), which involves the selection, fabrication, fitting, and calibration of devices worn during sleep that reposition the mandible and/or tongue to maintain airway patency, should be performed by qualified dentists who have knowledge and experience in overall oral health care, the temporomandibular joint, plus dental occlusion and associated oral structures.

 Annual Dues

All Diplomates are required to pay annual dues in the amount of $195.00 to maintain their status as Diplomates of the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine in good standing.

Dues Invoices
Annual dues statements are emailed automatically to Diplomates by the ABCDSM Executive Office, with payment due on or before December 31st of each year.

To Pay Dues Manually or Online:

You may  use one of the below options to pay dues:

- By check payable to "ABCDSM" (in US dollars, drawn on a US bank) and sent to 1000 Eleven South Suite 3F Columbia, Illinois 62236

 Monday-Thursday 8:30am-2pm Central Standard Time.

In addition to supporting certifying examinations and ABCDSM Executive Office operations, annual dues are essential to fund activities that have been approved by the Board and are consistent with the ABCDSM mission and goals.

PAY DUES ONLINE HERE

https://b9c9c9ac-4c67-44c6-a5c9-53e6635ac3a5.paylinks.godaddy.com/annualdues

Failure to remit timely payment of the annual dues may result in termination of ABCDSM Diplomate status.

Note: An individual who has been a Diplomate in good standing for at least five (5) years may, upon permanent disability or retirement, apply to the Board of Directors to be a "Life Diplomate, American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine.