Survey of recently board-certified prosthodontists on the board certification process. Part 1: Demographics.

PURPOSE

A survey of recently board-certified prosthodontists was conducted in 2001. The purpose of this survey was to identify trends that assisted candidates in attaining diplomate status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire was mailed to 176 diplomates who had become board certified between the years 1993 and 2001. Of these, 131 board-certified prosthodontists returned the completed survey, resulting in a response rate of 74%. The mean, median, and range of responses were computed when applicable.

RESULTS

Results from this survey show that the mean number of years from completion of a postdoctoral program to achieving board certification was 6 years, with a median of 4 years and a range of 1 to 23 years. The mean number of years from the time of completion of a postdoctoral program to board eligibility was 2.3 years, with a median of 1 year and a range of 0 to 22 years. The mean number of years from board eligibility to board certification was 3.9 years, with a median of 3 years and a range of 0 to 17 years. The military was the most frequently reported employment status at the time the respondents took Parts 1-4 of the boards. A total of 54% of the diplomates reported that they challenged Part 1 separately, and then challenged Parts 2, 3, and 4 together; 79% of the diplomates were encouraged by their graduate program director/faculty to challenge the board; and 48% of the diplomates reported that their patients received free dental treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain trends were observed regarding diplomates who succeeded in their efforts to challenge the board examination. The largest group who challenged the board certification examinations comprised members of the armed forces. Most prosthodontists challenged Part 1 before challenging the remaining 3 parts. In an effort to encourage more prosthodontists to challenge the board examination, numerous changes were made between 1992 and 1998; however, most of the diplomates did not take advantage of those changes.