American Board of Oral Medicine (ABOM)

The American Board of Oral Medicine promotes and maintains the highest standards of teaching, research, and patient care in the discipline of oral medicine for the benefit of the public.

We administer a certifying examination for those wishing to practice oral medicine issue certificates to those who pass the certifying examination who are also known as diplomates, and we establish criteria for maintenance of a diplomate's certificate and conduct on-going certificate maintenance program.

Oral medicine doctors who have graduated from an accredited and recognized oral medicine program may apply for taking the board exam(s). An oral medicine doctor is trained to diagnose and manage patients with disorders of the orofacial region, essentially as a "physician of the mouth." An oral medicine doctor has received additional specialized training and experience in the diagnosis and management of oral mucosal abnormalities (growths, ulcers, infection, allergies, immune-mediated and autoimmune disorders, cancers), salivary gland disorders, temporomandibular disorders (e.g.: problems with the TMJ) and facial pain (due to musculoskeletal or neurologic conditions), taste and smell disorders; and recognition of the oral manifestations of systemic and infectious diseases.