ABP Diplomate Interview
Jeffrey A. Rossmann, DDS, MS
Director of Examinations
American Board of Periodontology
Plano, Texas
How has Board certification shaped your career in Periodontics?
My initial motivation to become board certified came during my residency program at the U.S. Army Institute of Dental Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. Board certification was expected of us to be competitive for promotion in the Army Dental Corps. At first that was enough motivation and personal fulfillment. However, once board certified, this opened opportunities I could never anticipate at the time, such as academic opportunities after my military service and serving as an Examiner for the ABP. The result has been a wonderful career including 25 years as a faculty member at Baylor/Texas A&M School of Dentistry, serving the ABP for 18 years, culminating in my current position as Director of Examinations. Every position I’ve held in periodontics was contingent on my being a Diplomate of the ABP, including my private practice in the Dallas area for 25 years with my business partner and good friend, Mike McQuade. I cannot overstate how critical that decision to become board certified affected my success in all those endeavors.
The Director of Examinations provides substantive guidance to the ABP Board of Directors on examination policy and best practices, oversees the examination process, and supports candidates throughout the process. How did you come to serve in this role and when did you start in this position?
My last year of a six-year term as a Director on the ABP Board was 2017. The Executive Director, Kent Palcanis, announced his retirement effective 2018 and the Board of Directors determined it was time to take a new direction for future growth of the Board and established the position of Director of Examinations. This newly developed position would separate the duties from the Executive Director’s position and concentrate on the process of certification and oversight. I was elected to that new position in 2018, and it has evolved into the description mentioned above.
During your time as Director of Examinations, what challenges and opportunities did you encounter?
The position of Director of Examinations is all about relationships. Establishing trust with the candidates and providing them the confidence to challenge the certification process, knowing it will be fair and equitable for all. It is also important to establish a solid relationship with the Examiners, so they are motivated to participate in an arduous week of examinations and proud to have the distinction that comes with being an Examiner. I am happy to report that our examiners overwhelmingly feel this duty is the culmination of their professional careers.
The biggest challenge came in 2020 with the advent of the COVID pandemic. It was no longer feasible to plan an in-person oral examination for the 200 candidates challenging board certification that year and bring 50 examiners together to administer the exam. We attempted to develop an alternative online (virtual) examination maintaining the same criteria and standards we’ve upheld in past examinations; however, the issues of security, internet connectivity, confidentiality, etc. became overwhelming. In the end, we did not hold an oral examination in 2020, and the Board gave each candidate an additional year of eligibility. This led to the next challenge for 2021, which was adding approximately 20 new examiners to the active pool to administer a calibrated in-person exam. We met those challenges and successfully tested 300 candidates in 2021.
The opportunities have included upgrading the examination process to incorporate the latest technology. This can best be described as taking a completely analog paper examination using test booklets and paper score sheets in 2021 to a fully digital iPad examination in 2023, as well as moving to a testing center in 2021 in Raleigh, NC that is designed specifically for our needs. We now can accommodate 250 or more candidates each year in a state-of-the-art facility, giving five days of examinations and utilizing 55 examiners annually.
Do you have any advice for those considering pursuing Board certification?
You will never regret becoming board certified in Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery. It has become the standard of care for many third-parties of interest, as well as your referring doctors and patients. Although it is always a personal achievement for which you will take pride in accomplishing, it is now considered the expectation by our professional peers and patients. It is never too late in your career to consider challenging the certification process and I would encourage everyone in Periodontics to do so. Board certification is the highest standard to which we hold the profession and you owe it to yourself to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.
Jeffrey A. Rossmann, DDS, MS
Director of Examinations
American Board of Periodontology
Plano, Texas
How has Board certification shaped your career in Periodontics?
My initial motivation to become board certified came during my residency program at the U.S. Army Institute of Dental Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. Board certification was expected of us to be competitive for promotion in the Army Dental Corps. At first that was enough motivation and personal fulfillment. However, once board certified, this opened opportunities I could never anticipate at the time, such as academic opportunities after my military service and serving as an Examiner for the ABP. The result has been a wonderful career including 25 years as a faculty member at Baylor/Texas A&M School of Dentistry, serving the ABP for 18 years, culminating in my current position as Director of Examinations. Every position I’ve held in periodontics was contingent on my being a Diplomate of the ABP, including my private practice in the Dallas area for 25 years with my business partner and good friend, Mike McQuade. I cannot overstate how critical that decision to become board certified affected my success in all those endeavors.
The Director of Examinations provides substantive guidance to the ABP Board of Directors on examination policy and best practices, oversees the examination process, and supports candidates throughout the process. How did you come to serve in this role and when did you start in this position?
My last year of a six-year term as a Director on the ABP Board was 2017. The Executive Director, Kent Palcanis, announced his retirement effective 2018 and the Board of Directors determined it was time to take a new direction for future growth of the Board and established the position of Director of Examinations. This newly developed position would separate the duties from the Executive Director’s position and concentrate on the process of certification and oversight. I was elected to that new position in 2018, and it has evolved into the description mentioned above.
During your time as Director of Examinations, what challenges and opportunities did you encounter?
The position of Director of Examinations is all about relationships. Establishing trust with the candidates and providing them the confidence to challenge the certification process, knowing it will be fair and equitable for all. It is also important to establish a solid relationship with the Examiners, so they are motivated to participate in an arduous week of examinations and proud to have the distinction that comes with being an Examiner. I am happy to report that our examiners overwhelmingly feel this duty is the culmination of their professional careers.
The biggest challenge came in 2020 with the advent of the COVID pandemic. It was no longer feasible to plan an in-person oral examination for the 200 candidates challenging board certification that year and bring 50 examiners together to administer the exam. We attempted to develop an alternative online (virtual) examination maintaining the same criteria and standards we’ve upheld in past examinations; however, the issues of security, internet connectivity, confidentiality, etc. became overwhelming. In the end, we did not hold an oral examination in 2020, and the Board gave each candidate an additional year of eligibility. This led to the next challenge for 2021, which was adding approximately 20 new examiners to the active pool to administer a calibrated in-person exam. We met those challenges and successfully tested 300 candidates in 2021.
The opportunities have included upgrading the examination process to incorporate the latest technology. This can best be described as taking a completely analog paper examination using test booklets and paper score sheets in 2021 to a fully digital iPad examination in 2023, as well as moving to a testing center in 2021 in Raleigh, NC that is designed specifically for our needs. We now can accommodate 250 or more candidates each year in a state-of-the-art facility, giving five days of examinations and utilizing 55 examiners annually.
Do you have any advice for those considering pursuing Board certification?
You will never regret becoming board certified in Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery. It has become the standard of care for many third-parties of interest, as well as your referring doctors and patients. Although it is always a personal achievement for which you will take pride in accomplishing, it is now considered the expectation by our professional peers and patients. It is never too late in your career to consider challenging the certification process and I would encourage everyone in Periodontics to do so. Board certification is the highest standard to which we hold the profession and you owe it to yourself to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.