Our Story
Certifying Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Since 1945
As the only certifying board for the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the United States, ABOMS is dedicated to improving the knowledge and skills of oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS), nationwide.
Mission
The mission of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is to ensure that Diplomates meet our standards of training, education, and professionalism through our certification process. As the certifying body in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the ABOMS provides contemporary and innovative programs that promote optimal care and service to the public.
Vision
To be the recognized leader in Board Certification of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and related disciplines.
Our History
In 1945, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Oral Surgeons, a committee was authorized to establish an American Board of Oral Surgery, which would conduct examinations for the certification of specialists in oral surgery. One year later, in 1946, the American Board of Oral Surgery was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois.
During the following year, the American Board of Oral Surgery was approved by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association and was authorized to proceed with the certification of specialists in oral surgery. The American Board of Oral Surgery was renamed the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) in 1978 to reflect the scope of the specialty. The name modification was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois.
Today, the operation of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is entrusted to an eight-member Board of Directors. These Directors are Diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Fellows of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. One Director is elected each year to an eight-year term during the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Annual Meeting by the current ABOMS Board of Directors. An Examination Committee composed of Diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is appointed by the Board of Directors to prepare and conduct the annual certification examination. The Board of Directors and its Examination Committee serve without salary.
For our full history you can download our History Book and Addendum
