ABP Diplomate Interview
The ABP Board of Directors transitioned in 2025 from a standalone recertification examination in the final year of the six-year certification cycle to a longitudinal learning model delivered through the ABPerio Minute platform. Dr. Charles Powell, DDS, MS, Director of Continuing Certification, and Dr. Paul Luepke, DDS, MS, Chair of the ABP Continuing Certification Committee, discuss the Board’s experience implementing the new model for all Diplomates.
- Why does a Diplomate have to be engaged with Continuing Certification?
Dr. Paul Luepke: The American Board of Periodontology adopted the ABPerio Minute continuing learning format as our means to help Diplomates maintain their knowledge and clinical expertise over time. It challenges everyone to stay current on a consistent basis rather than just challenging an exam every six years. I will admit that I tend to wait until the end of each quarter to answer all the questions rather than answer a question here and there throughout the quarter. Adult learning models demonstrate people learn better when questions are answered more gradually over extended periods of time so that is something I want to change in how I use the platform.
2. What makes ABPerio Minute unique as opposed to what other dental specialties are doing for continuing certification?
Dr. Charles Powell: Multiple discussions amongst the ABP Directors took place as to how Continuing Certification could be structured to meet the requirements of the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards as well as provide a meaningful educational experience for our Diplomates. Central to the discussion was that Diplomates should have a convenient, on-demand tool that was backed by adult learning models and had a track record of success. Unlike other dental specialty certification programs that rely primarily on periodic exams or case scenario assessments, ABPerio Minute offers ongoing self-study modules that are accessible at any time. The platform incorporates principles such as spaced repetition and self-directed learning, which have been shown to improve retention and engagement among adult learners. While some programs focus on single-point assessments, ABPerio Minute distinguishes itself by promoting continuous self-study and learning. This approach refreshes past knowledge and introduces new, emerging information that can impact daily practice. New information can be “pushed out” to Diplomates at any time, which represents a significant advantage over materials that are updated on a less frequent basis. This ensures that Diplomates are always equipped with the latest knowledge and best practices, enhancing patient care and professional development.
3. What challenges did you encounter in the first year following the launch of ABPerio Minute?
Dr. Powell: Thanks to our thorough three-month pilot and yearlong beta testing before launching ABPerio Minute to all Diplomates, we encountered very few significant challenges. The feedback we received from Diplomates really helped us in working with the developers to produce a platform that meets the needs of Diplomates. However, some issues did arise. For example, some Diplomates were initially unsure about the new requirements for continuing certification, which led us to develop targeted FAQs and host webinars to introduce the platform. These proactive steps helped us resolve confusion and foster engagement, making the transition to ABPerio Minute smooth and effective for our Diplomates.
4. What benefits does a continuous learning model provide that were not attainable with the single-point-in-time exam?
Dr. Powell: Extensive research into adult learning has shown that traditional study methods often fall short when it comes to knowledge retention and reinforcement. For example, in a 2016 study published in the journal Anesthesiology, over 600 anesthesiologists who participated in a continuous learning model like ABPerio Minute scored almost ten points higher on their high-stakes maintenance of certification exam compared to those who did not participate. Dynamic, adaptive, and continuous formative assessments that provide immediate feedback and references for further self-study consistently led to better outcomes for learners. By leveraging these proven strategies, ABPerio Minute offers dynamic assessments directly on your phone, ensuring you benefit from real-time feedback and continuous learning wherever you are.
5. Who creates the content for ABPerio Minute?
Dr. Luepke: We have a team of 34 content writers and five reviewers that have trained via workshops within the American Board of Periodontology. We are using the Job Task Analysis we conducted as our framework for making the questions relevant and current to our specialty. We also have skilled editors to make the questions appropriate and formatted to be able to answer in a timely manner.
6. What has been the Diplomate response to the change?
Dr. Luepke: I have been excited since we first researched the idea of continued certification and knew we need to change to be relevant in the specialty arena. However, change is always difficult, and many rumors circulated at various levels even before the Diplomates tried it. But once they tried the platform themselves, I believe the sentiment has been positive.
7. What innovations are you planning for in the coming years?
Dr. Powell: Our content creation efforts are focused on strengthening the value of ABPerio Minute for our Diplomates. Based on Diplomate feedback, there is a strong desire for more interactive learning tools, which we are prioritizing in our upcoming content strategy. Our goal is to launch interactive media modules—including assessments of radiographs, clinical photos, and short videos with the intent to boost Diplomate engagement and enhance critical thinking skills. All these changes are designed to ensure Diplomates remain at the forefront of the specialty. To further support the Diplomate community, we will leverage data on question performance to provide actionable insights to continuing education providers, enabling them to better tailor their programs to meet evolving needs. These initiatives are designed to address real challenges voiced by our audience and foster meaningful professional growth.
8. What is your overall assessment of ABPerio Minute after one year?
Dr. Luepke: I am incredibly pleased with how the entire process produced such a great outcome. We beta tested it and worked extremely hard to get out many of the kinks before going live to all. It has been great to be in the lead of this process in dentistry, and many specialties are curious about our product. Thank you for trusting and believing in our American Board of Periodontology Directors and team to bring such an amazing platform to move our specialty forward.
The ABP Board of Directors transitioned in 2025 from a standalone recertification examination in the final year of the six-year certification cycle to a longitudinal learning model delivered through the ABPerio Minute platform. Dr. Charles Powell, DDS, MS, Director of Continuing Certification, and Dr. Paul Luepke, DDS, MS, Chair of the ABP Continuing Certification Committee, discuss the Board’s experience implementing the new model for all Diplomates.
- Why does a Diplomate have to be engaged with Continuing Certification?
Dr. Paul Luepke: The American Board of Periodontology adopted the ABPerio Minute continuing learning format as our means to help Diplomates maintain their knowledge and clinical expertise over time. It challenges everyone to stay current on a consistent basis rather than just challenging an exam every six years. I will admit that I tend to wait until the end of each quarter to answer all the questions rather than answer a question here and there throughout the quarter. Adult learning models demonstrate people learn better when questions are answered more gradually over extended periods of time so that is something I want to change in how I use the platform.
2. What makes ABPerio Minute unique as opposed to what other dental specialties are doing for continuing certification?
Dr. Charles Powell: Multiple discussions amongst the ABP Directors took place as to how Continuing Certification could be structured to meet the requirements of the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards as well as provide a meaningful educational experience for our Diplomates. Central to the discussion was that Diplomates should have a convenient, on-demand tool that was backed by adult learning models and had a track record of success. Unlike other dental specialty certification programs that rely primarily on periodic exams or case scenario assessments, ABPerio Minute offers ongoing self-study modules that are accessible at any time. The platform incorporates principles such as spaced repetition and self-directed learning, which have been shown to improve retention and engagement among adult learners. While some programs focus on single-point assessments, ABPerio Minute distinguishes itself by promoting continuous self-study and learning. This approach refreshes past knowledge and introduces new, emerging information that can impact daily practice. New information can be “pushed out” to Diplomates at any time, which represents a significant advantage over materials that are updated on a less frequent basis. This ensures that Diplomates are always equipped with the latest knowledge and best practices, enhancing patient care and professional development.
3. What challenges did you encounter in the first year following the launch of ABPerio Minute?
Dr. Powell: Thanks to our thorough three-month pilot and yearlong beta testing before launching ABPerio Minute to all Diplomates, we encountered very few significant challenges. The feedback we received from Diplomates really helped us in working with the developers to produce a platform that meets the needs of Diplomates. However, some issues did arise. For example, some Diplomates were initially unsure about the new requirements for continuing certification, which led us to develop targeted FAQs and host webinars to introduce the platform. These proactive steps helped us resolve confusion and foster engagement, making the transition to ABPerio Minute smooth and effective for our Diplomates.
4. What benefits does a continuous learning model provide that were not attainable with the single-point-in-time exam?
Dr. Powell: Extensive research into adult learning has shown that traditional study methods often fall short when it comes to knowledge retention and reinforcement. For example, in a 2016 study published in the journal Anesthesiology, over 600 anesthesiologists who participated in a continuous learning model like ABPerio Minute scored almost ten points higher on their high-stakes maintenance of certification exam compared to those who did not participate. Dynamic, adaptive, and continuous formative assessments that provide immediate feedback and references for further self-study consistently led to better outcomes for learners. By leveraging these proven strategies, ABPerio Minute offers dynamic assessments directly on your phone, ensuring you benefit from real-time feedback and continuous learning wherever you are.
5. Who creates the content for ABPerio Minute?
Dr. Luepke: We have a team of 34 content writers and five reviewers that have trained via workshops within the American Board of Periodontology. We are using the Job Task Analysis we conducted as our framework for making the questions relevant and current to our specialty. We also have skilled editors to make the questions appropriate and formatted to be able to answer in a timely manner.
6. What has been the Diplomate response to the change?
Dr. Luepke: I have been excited since we first researched the idea of continued certification and knew we need to change to be relevant in the specialty arena. However, change is always difficult, and many rumors circulated at various levels even before the Diplomates tried it. But once they tried the platform themselves, I believe the sentiment has been positive.
7. What innovations are you planning for in the coming years?
Dr. Powell: Our content creation efforts are focused on strengthening the value of ABPerio Minute for our Diplomates. Based on Diplomate feedback, there is a strong desire for more interactive learning tools, which we are prioritizing in our upcoming content strategy. Our goal is to launch interactive media modules—including assessments of radiographs, clinical photos, and short videos with the intent to boost Diplomate engagement and enhance critical thinking skills. All these changes are designed to ensure Diplomates remain at the forefront of the specialty. To further support the Diplomate community, we will leverage data on question performance to provide actionable insights to continuing education providers, enabling them to better tailor their programs to meet evolving needs. These initiatives are designed to address real challenges voiced by our audience and foster meaningful professional growth.
8. What is your overall assessment of ABPerio Minute after one year?
Dr. Luepke: I am incredibly pleased with how the entire process produced such a great outcome. We beta tested it and worked extremely hard to get out many of the kinks before going live to all. It has been great to be in the lead of this process in dentistry, and many specialties are curious about our product. Thank you for trusting and believing in our American Board of Periodontology Directors and team to bring such an amazing platform to move our specialty forward.