The Philippine Board of Pediatric Dentistry determines by examination the proficiency of Pediatric Dentists who apply for certification as Diplomates with the Philippine Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Eligible candidates can become board certified through the voluntary examination process which involves four (4) phases:
- Phase I : Application and Determination of Eligibility
- Phase II : Qualifying Written Examination QWE
- Phase III : Case Presentation
- Phase IV : Clinical Oral Review Examination CORE
Upon completing Phase I (Application and Determination of Eligibility), an applicant has two (2) years to initiate Phase II of the certification process.
Phase II, III and IV must be taken in order. The QWE must be successfully taken prior to the Case Presentation. The Case Presentation Section must be taken prior to the Clinical Oral Review Examination. An applicant must take the Qualifying Written Examination within 2 years of validation of credentials and application for the certification process.
Upon sitting for the Qualifying Written Examination a candidate has six (6) years from the date of taking his first qualifying written examination to complete the certification process.
The Candidate has six years from the date of the first examination to successfully complete all four Phases of examination and thereby achieve Board Certification.
Failure to achieve Board Certification within the six (6) year period will necessitate reinitiating the complete examination process (from Phase I to Phase IV).
Phase I – Validation of Credentials
Validation of Credentials will determine your eligibility to take the diplomate examinations. The applicant needs to submit the application form together with other forms, documents and fees of the Examination. Upon verification of credentials, the applicant will be notified if he/she is qualified to proceed to the next phase.
Phase II – Qualifying Written Examination (QWE)
The Qualifying Written Examination is intended to assess the Applicant’s understanding of the scientific and biological principles that support the practice of pediatric dentistry, as well as current literature relating to pediatric dentistry. The successful Applicant must demonstrate a well-rounded in-depth knowledge of pediatric dentistry. This examination is not intended to duplicate the clinical application of pediatric oral health care that will be tested during another component of the certification process, the Clinical Oral Review Examination (CORE).
Phase III – Case Presentation (CP)
The purpose of the Case Presentations is to assess the candidate's treatment planning ability and knowledge of various aspects of treatment. Comprehensive patient care must be documented.
Phase IV – Case and Oral Review Examination (CORE)
The purpose of the Clinical Oral Review Examination is to enable the candidate to demonstrate a high standard of diagnosis, treatment planning, and quality of care in selected cases.
The candidate will be awarded the Certificate of Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Pediatric Dentistry upon successful completion of all four (4) phases of the certification process.
Renewal of Certification Examination (ROCE)
Renewal of Certification Process (ROCP) is a four-part renewal of certification process that assures the public of a Diplomates' competency in the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry.
ROCP is a continuous, rolling process documenting achievement in four critical areas of Pediatric Dentistry. Completion of the four areas is required of all Diplomates
- Part 1: Professional Standing (Your unrestricted license to practice dentistry and the credentials survey)
- Part 2: A commitment to lifelong learning, continuing scholarship and improvement (Your dentistry knowledge is current because you engage in self-assessment and learning activities, eg. Continuing Education)
- Part 3: Cognitive expertise measured by examination -(ROC examination)
- Part 4: Satisfactory performance in practice/continuous quality improvement (Your active involvement in measuring and improving the quality of patient care)
The PBPD will assume full responsibility for the conduct of its examination programs, including the determination of the methods to be used in identifying irregularities during the administration of the examinations.
The PBPD assumes full responsibility for its decisions to withhold examination results when there is a reason to believe the answers of one or several candidates were not selected independently.
The PBPD assumes full responsibility for failing candidates on the basis of similarities. The PBPD requires candidates to receive a passing grade on all sections of the examination.
Re-examination Policy
Qualifying Written Examination
The Candidate who fails the QWE three times within the six-year eligibility period must show evidence of further training and/or educational experiences before reapplying. The evidence will be reviewed by the Appeals Committee to determine the Candidate’s eligibility for further examination. Examples of further training and education experiences include but are not limited to attendance at review courses, continuing education programs, and study clubs.
Case Presentation
The Candidate who fails the Case Presentation three times within the six year eligibility period must show evidence of further training and/or educational experiences before reapplying. The evidence will be reviewed by the Appeals Committee to determine the Candidate's eligibility for further examination. A Candidate who fails the Case Presentation will be limited to re-examination once in a 12-month period during their six-year eligibility period.
Clinical Oral Review Examination
The Candidate who fails the CORE three times within the six-year eligibility period must show evidence of further training and/or educational experiences before reapplying. The evidence will be reviewed by the Appeals Committee to determine the Candidate's eligibility for further examination. A Candidate who fails the CORE will be limited to re-examination once in a 12-month period during their six-year eligibility period.
Cancellation Policy for Qualifying Written Examination and Clinical Oral Review Examination
All cancellations must be in writing.
Cancellation made before the 5 business days prior the examination date, the examinee will be assessed 20% of the examination fee as administrative fee and will be refunded the 80% of the examination fee.
If an examinee fails to cancel or reschedule his or her testing session up to five (5) business days in advance of their testing appointment, the examinee will forfeit 50% of the examination registration fee.
If an examinee fails to appear for their testing appointment or attempts to cancel or reschedule after the five (5) business day deadline, the examinee will be considered a 'No Show' and will forfeit the entire examination registration fee.
Appeals
A mechanism is available for appealing decisions of the Board through the PBPD Secretariat. The appeal must be filed with appropriate fee to the Philippine Board of Pediatric Dentistry within 30 days of the date of the notification letter of the Board decision.
When seeking a Candidacy extension the appeal must be received in the PBPD Secretariat prior to the Candidate's termination of eligibility of the certification process.