In 1996, the Philippine Pediatric Dental Society Inc. (PPDSI) sponsored and created Philippine Board of Pediatric Dentistry (PBPD). In 1997 the PBPD conducted its first Qualifying Written Examination. The founding members of the PBPD were credentialed pediatric dental specialists with 2 to 3 years full time specialty training who had contributed to the recognition of the pediatric dental specialty in the Philippines and who shared the same vision of achieving excellence in pediatric dentistry through certification of all pediatric dentists in the Philippines.
The PBPD continues to be recognized by the Professional Regulations Commission Board of Dentistry in 2011 as an autonomous organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as the specialty board to accredit pediatric dental specialists. It holds PRC Board of Dentistry Accreditation No. 01-0304-2003.
The PBPD awards Certificates to successful candidates conferring onto them the designation Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Objectives of the PBPD
- To promote interest among pediatric dentists in the Philippines in attaining Board certification.
- To disseminate information about the certification process.
- To administer a certification process which validates the candidate's in-depth knowledge and proficiency in the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry by:
- Verification of the applicant’s educational qualifications.
- Validation of the candidate’s knowledge, application and performance by successful completion of designated examinations.
- To issue Diplomate certificates for qualified candidates.
- To administer a Renewal of Certification examination which demonstrates the Diplomate's continued in-depth knowledge and proficiency in Pediatric Dentistry and evidence of lifelong learning.
- To maintain a registry of Diplomates.
- To conduct an annual credentials survey to assure that candidates and Diplomates are in good standing in their community and profession.
- To verify that the candidate and the Diplomate maintain an active license to practice dentistry.
The PBPD is authorized to issue to a dentist, a certificate of recognition of special knowledge in pediatric dentistry and to suspend and revoke the same, when necessary. Certification does not confer the legal qualification or license to practice dentistry.
The PBPD receives and acts upon applications from dentists for certification and receives payment of fees. It maintains and amends rules and standards for the granting and revocation of certificates.
The PBPD determines by examination the proficiency of dentists who apply for certification as Diplomates, according to the definition of Pediatric Dentistry. Pediatric Dentistry is defined as an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs (1995, ADA).