History of the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine

 
The American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine (ABCDSM) was officially recognized as a Virginia non-profit corporation in 2014. However, the origins of the ABCDSM can be traced back to the 1990s when the dental profession in general — and diplomates of the American Board of Craniofacial Pain and members of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain in particular — became increasingly interested in gaining the knowledge and skills required to manage the complex interrelationships between sleep disorders, craniofacial pain, temporomandibular joint disorders. The dedication of these pioneering clinicians ultimately led to the creation of a new board-certification in "Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine," which was initially offered under the auspices of the American Board of Craniofacial Pain.

Today, the ABCDSM is an independent certifying board. Our sole purpose is to identify, guide and examine candidates for Diplomate status and to help them complete the credentialing process so that they may a) fulfill the needs of the public and the profession for such certified individuals, and b) promote the high standard of excellence required to enable patients to enjoy the benefits of recuperative sleep.

Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of the ABCDSM are:

1. To maintain a list of dentists who are credentialed as Diplomates of the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine;
   
   
2. To determine whether candidates qualify to take credentialing examinations under the stated requirements of the ABCDSM and the American Dental Association (ADA);
   
   
3. To create, maintain and administer credentialing examinations to evaluate such candidates;
   
   
4. To issue credentials and award the status of "Diplomate, American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine" to those candidates who are found to be qualified under the stated requirements of the ABCDSM and the American Dental Association;
   
   
5. To communicate to program directors of US university-based or hospital-based Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine advanced education programs, the scope and topic proportions on current ABCDSM examinations; and,
   
   
6. To provide information to the public, professional organizations, healthcare agencies, and regulatory bodies regarding credentialing in Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine.

 Milestones

2013: The first ABCDSM credentialing examination is administered on July 28, 2013, at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina in San Diego, CA, under the auspices of the American Board of Craniofacial Pain. Participation is tremendous and is indicative of the potential for Diplomate status in the ABCDSM to emerge as the new "gold standard."

2014: On May 14, 2014, the American Board of Craniofacial Pain votes to allow the ABCDSM to become an official Virginia Non-Profit 501(c)6 corporation. The first slate of officers and directors is appointed, and a definition of "Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine" that recognizes the interrelationships between dental management of sleep disorders (SDB), the craniofacial complex, and the TMJ and its associated structures is adopted. The connection between SDB and TMD is an essential part of the history and traditions that ultimately led to the creation of the ABCDSM, and one that correlates to American Academy of Sleep Medicine practice parameters.

2015: The ABCDSM hosts its Inaugural Diplomate Luncheon & Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ, on January 16, 2015. The event coincides with the AACP 2nd Annual International Craniofacial Pain & Sleep Summit, enabling Diplomates to earn continuing education credits that may be used to satisfy ABCDSM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements while celebrating the professional accomplishments of friends and colleagues who are ABCDSM board certified. 

2023:  ABCDSM undergoes organizational changes to reflect independent operations from their sister organization, the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP).  These changes include separation from the management company currently employed by the AACP, creation of an independent website as well as independent accounting and legal services.