The American Board of Orofacial Pain was founded in 1994 in response to a need for a valid certification process for dentist practicing Orofacial Pain Management.  The ABOP currently holds its examinations yearly in conjunction with the American Academy of Orofacial Pain's Annual Conference.  

Our Mission

To enhance the quality of care and service provided to the public through certification of dentists in the field of Orofacial Pain.

The ABOP endeavors:

• To define the scope of knowledge necessary for the practice of orofacial pain as determined by a national practice survey of clinicians and teachers engaged in this field.
• To formally acknowledge individuals who achieve the level of knowledge set by the ABOP.
• To enhance the quality of orofacial pain clinical care.
• To advocate professional excellence in the management of orofacial pain.

The ABOP Certification Program has based the eligibility requirements and examination materials on the prevailing standard of orofacial pain management as defined by current practice surveys and scientific publications. The ABOP Board of Directors and Examination Council have collaborated with outside experts in relevant subjects to attempt to formulate a certification process that will accurately reflect acceptable levels of scientific and clinical expertise in orofacial pain consistent with accepted legal and ethical principles recognized by the Board.

While the ultimate goal is improved patient care, no certification program can guarantee the competence of its diplomates or treatment success. Due to rapid changes and advances in science and medical and dental knowledge, the ABOP does not certify that the examination will at all times represent the most current state of the art information in the field.

The ABOP is receptive to any comments and constructive suggestions, whether from the profession or from the public at large. The ABOP is not aligned with any professional organization and does not subscribe to any particular clinical construct.  

Click here to read the ABOP Constitution and Bylaws.