No. All orthodontists must be licensed to practice, but at this time only 1 in 3 orthodontists have continued on to complete Board Certification. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification process signifies a unique achievementa significant step beyond the two to three years of advanced education required for a dentist to become a specialist in orthodontics. The process requires the orthodontist to demonstrate actual accomplishments in patient care with detailed case reports on the treatment provided for a broad range of patient problems. Board certification is a voluntary achievement that all orthodontists do not choose to pursue. In order to become board certified by the ABO, an individual orthodontist is thoroughly interviewed by a highly respected panel of examiners to demonstrate their orthodontic knowledge, clinical skills and judgment.
One. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is the only certifying board in the specialty that is recognized by the American Dental Association. The ABO was founded in 1929 and is the oldest specialty board in dentistry. The boards purpose is to elevate the quality of orthodontic care for the public by promoting excellence through certification, education and professional collaboration.
Successful completion of the examination process demonstrates the orthodontists highest commitment to excellence in orthodontics to both the orthodontic profession and the general public. It represents a commitment by a licensed specialist that he/she has the necessary knowledge base and skills to treat patients to the highest of standards. It exemplifies a practitioners commitment to continue to keep abreast of the latest advances in patient care, and to continue to deliver these latest advances to patients. Many orthodontists see it as a demonstration of their dedication to the specialty and the highest level of personal achievement.
Since the establishment of the ABO in 1929, the certification process requirements have continued to adjust to the demands of the specialty. Today, the process involves a thorough Written Examination (240 questions) covering all areas of information which an orthodontist should be knowledgeable. Successful completion of this board exam allows the orthodontist to proceed to the Clinical Examination where they present detailed case reports from their practice/residency, demonstrating a history of excellence in patient care. These cases are evaluated by a panel of examiners and later discussed during an oral examination where the applicant is tested on a wide variety of academic and clinical topics. After successful completion of these examinations, the orthodontist has officially achieved Board Certification, for a time-limited period. The orthodontist must go through Certification Renewal every 10 years to maintain their certification status by demonstrating this continued level of patient care.
Dr. Natalia Tomona is a board certified orthodontist. She graduated with honors from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Dental School in Lima, Peru 1994. After that she completed a 3 year Residency Program in Orthodontics in the same University. She worked in private practice and as a Faculty of her alma mater for 5 years.
Then she moved to the USA to complete an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program at the University of Maryland BCDS, where she received the Harry W.F. Dressel, Jr. Award of Clinical Excellece in General Dentistry. She obtained her DDS degree from University of Maryland after completing an Advanced Standing Program, where she obtained The Harry E. Kelsey Memorial Award for Professional Demeanor in the Area of Orthodontics, The Academy of Operative Dentistry Award, Best Senior Dental Student Poster and she was invited to the Omicrom Kappa Upsilon and Gorgas Honorary Dental Society. She also completed a Research Fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) publishing an article about Smith-Magenis Syndrome and 3D Imaging in the Am J of Med Genetics.
Her interest in the area of Orthodontics moved her to pursue a second residency at New York University in that specialty. After that she came back and establish her private practice limited to Orthodontics in Germantown, MD in 2008.
I enjoy working alongside with Dr. Tomona and staff. As the Treatment Coordinator, I will ensure that all your questions or concerns are answered in timely manner. When I am not at work, I enjoy reading, and spending time with my family.
It is an honor and priviledge to work for Dr. Tomona and her team. Here it is the perfect environment where I can contribute with my experience into the office's success. The most positive and fun part of my job is when I take pictures of the little faces that just got debonded. Dr. Tomona is like a magician who can change peoples'lifes by fixing their smiles.