AO announces first two recipients of Certificate in Implant Dentistry

A California prosthodontist and a Pennsylvania general dentist are the first Academy of Osseointegration (AO) members to receive the new AO Certificate in Implant Dentistry.

These awards were presented March 16 during the opening symposium of AO’s 2017 annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. The recipients are:

• Paul P. Binon, DDS, MSD, prosthodontist, Roseville, CA

• Steven Present, DMD, general dentist, North Wales, PA

“I am so pleased that the AO is offering a credible means of acknowledging proficiency in implant dentistry. The main reason I decided to obtain the certificate was to make a statement. Our patients and the public need to have a means of distinguishing fact from fancy. The hype is out there. I do implants, you do implants, we do implants is not good enough,” says Dr. Binon.

“I believe that obtaining an AO certificate is a very good start. It tells the public you know your stuff and have been vetted by fellow professionals. I believe it will give you considerable credibility,” Dr. Binon continues.

To meet the certificate’s requirements, Drs. Binon and Present presented evidence of completing 200 hours of continuing education over a three-year period, including 85 hours of “core knowledge.” They also submitted four case presentations covering the following categories: single tooth, fixed partial denture (fixed bridge), full arch fixed reconstruction and over denture. They have been AO members for three consecutive years and attended at least two annual meetings during that time.

AO initiated the certificate program at its 2016 annual meeting in response to a growing number of AO members seeking distinction in the field of implant dentistry. The certificate represents the highest standards of excellence in implant dentistry, and distinguishes practitioners’ continuing education efforts and knowledge to patients and colleagues around the globe.

“The new AO Certificate in Implant Dentistry will distinguish accomplished practitioners from those who have not met the challenge of continuing education requirements and case presentations,” says Dr. Amerian D. Sones of Dallas, chair of the New Fellowship and Certificate Committee. “Certification represents the highest standards of excellence in implant dentistry.”

“This certificate can also help patients to select their clinician with the knowledge that they are not only members of AO – the premier implant organization globally – but have also been recognized by the academy for their continuing education and practice in the field of dental implants,” says Dr. Michael Norton, board liaison to the committee.

Candidates may select the application that best suits their training, with a focus on surgery, restorative, or both surgery and restorative aspects of dental treatment. One of the cases presented will require a signed statement of authenticity from the patient and be notarized.

The AO website, www.osseo.org, has complete information, including the application along with a Q&A and supporting resources.