You want the best kid’s oral care team for your kids. At San Diego Smile Pros, you can be confident that you and your family are receiving the highest quality care with orthodontist, Dr. Matthew Durschlag, and pediatric dentist, Dr. Kristy Hayes. Both doctors are board-certified specialists, a designation which only 1 in 3 specialist dentists achieve.
What does being board-certified mean and how does this benefit our patients? Simply put, board certification means your pediatric dentist and orthodontist at San Diego Smile Pros have taken the voluntary additional step to study and pass rigorous exams, as well as maintain their board status with exams throughout their career. For patients, this means receiving the most up-to-date expertise and techniques with benchmark standard of care and the best possible treatment results.
As two different dental specialists, Dr. Durschlag and Dr. Hayes belong to two different dental boards: Dr. Durschlag is a board-certified orthodontist with the American Board of Orthodontists while Dr. Hayes is a board-certified pediatric dentist with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
What is a Board Certified Orthodontist?
Now, before we cover what being a board-certified orthodontist means, let’s first answer, “What is an orthodontist?” An orthodontist must complete undergraduate studies, dental school, and then an orthodontic residency to become an orthodontic specialist with the expertise to straighten teeth and align the bite.
Dr. Durschlag practiced general dentistry and served with the US Navy after dental school. Upon completing his service, he was accepted into the prestigious Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics residency at Loma Linda University.
Did you know? Only 1 in 3 orthodontists in America are board certified through the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO).
As we mentioned, becoming a board-certified orthodontist is voluntary and orthodontists must pass the ABO’s stringent exams to achieve board certification. It doesn’t happen overnight! It takes 5-10 years to become an American board-certified orthodontist. Dr. Durschlag must take a recertification exam every 10 years to maintain his status as a Diplomat of the ABO.
What does it mean to have a board-certified orthodontist looking after your child’s teeth? You can have confidence knowing that you and your child receive the highest level of orthodontics, whether it’s with braces, Invisalign®, or phase 1 orthodontics. Rest assured that your orthodontic care is informed by knowledge of the latest, proven orthodontic techniques and technology.
What Does “Board Certified” Mean For A Pediatric Dentist?
What is a pediatric dentist in the first place? As a top pediatric dentist in San Diego, Dr. Hayes completed undergraduate studies, dental school, and a post-doctoral specialty in pediatric dentistry to focus on treating children, who have different dental care needs than adults. On top of that, Dr. Hayes is a military veteran — she provided general dentistry and pediatric dentistry in the Army for nine years.
So what is a board-certified pediatric dentist? As a board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Hayes has gone the extra mile in her professional development for her patients, passing rigorous exams with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. To maintain her status as a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, she must ensure at least 15 hours of continuing education every year. Every 10 years, she must also recertify.
Dr. Hayes’s commitment to staying current on the most cutting-edge treatments and techniques gives our patients and their families at San Diego Smile Pros peace of mind knowing their child’s smile is in expert hands.
Your Board Certified Dentistry Team in San Diego
With an American board-certified orthodontist and pediatric dentist under one roof, you’re assured exceptional, seamless dental care. Whether you’re concerned about your child’s teeth health or wondering about a straight, stunning, and functional smile with braces or Invisalign®, you can trust our board-certified dental specialists to take excellent care of you and your child’s smile. Our high-tech approach, personalized treatment, and modern, comfortable environment set the stage for an easy and enjoyable smile experience.
Schedule an appointment with our board-certified team and start your smile journey with confidence!
