The American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP) was founded in 1994 in response to the need for a valid certification process for dentists practicing orofacial pain management. The ABOP is a registered non-profit organization, offering annual certification examinations to dentists who meet the current stated eligibility requirements.

The ABOP administers a psychometrically developed and practice-related examination in the field of orofacial pain to qualified candidates. Dentists who have successfully completed the ABOP credentialing process and examination will be issued certificates as certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain and designated as Diplomates of the American Board of Orofacial Pain. A list of board-certified dentists is available on this website and in the ABOP central office for dissemination to the public.

Although the field of Orofacial Pain is not presently a specialty of dentistry the American Board of Orofacial Pain conforms to the "Requirement for Recognition of Dental Specialties and National Certifying Boards for Dental Specialists" of the American Dental Association Council on Dental Education applicable to specialty boards in dentistry.

Important Dates for the 2008 Written and Oral Examinations

Application Deadline: February 15, 2008
Examination Date: April 9, 2008

To Apply for the 2008 Exam

Complete the application form in its entirety and mail it to the Board office, along with the accompanying documents and fee specified on the application.

The written examination is a short answer, multiple choice 200 question test that covers a broad range of information relating to the science and art of orofacial pain. Subject areas include masticatory and cervical musculoskeletal pain, neurovascular pain, neuropathic pain, sleep disorders related to orofacial pain, orofacial dystonias, and intraoral, intracranial, extracranial, and systemic disorders that cause orofacial pain.

Note: Candidates unable to fulfill application requirements and/or correct any deficiencies will not be eligible to take the Written Qualifying Examination.

The exam will be held at The Century Plaza Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles, CA.