Speciality training for becoming an endodontist

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) requires successful completion of an advanced education program in endodontics (CAGS in Endodontics ) accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association in order to be recognized as a certified specialist in endodontics. The MSD in Endodontics is a three-year program in which a Master of Science in Dentistry is combined with a CAGS in Endodontics .

To become American Board Certified, successful completion of three examinations is further required https://www.aae.org/board/get-board-certified/.

The Written Examination tests a broad range of fields, including anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, radiology, statistics, clinical endodontics and related disciplines.

The Case History Examination requires submission of documentation of a variety of cases from the endodontist’s own practice. The cases must be diverse and complex enough to demonstrate exceptional knowledge, skills, and expertise in the full scope of the field of endodontics.

During the Oral Examination a team of experts question the endodontist about a variety of endodontic diagnosis and treatment situations. Through the extensive interviews, a high level of skill in problem solving, decision making, analysis, creativity, and evaluation must be demonstrated.

An endodontist who has satisfied all requirements of the Board Certification process of the ABE is declared Board-Certified by the Directors of the ABE. This individual is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.

A consensus statement from the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) sets out the minimum criteria for training Specialists in Endodontology within Europe (Paul, D. M. H. (2010). Accreditation of postgraduate speciality training programmes in Endodontology. Minimum criteria for training Specialists in Endodontology within Europe. International Endodontic Journal, 43(9), 725–737. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2591.2010.01784.x). It requests a 3 year full-time academic post-graduate training under the aegis of a university. A quality controlled and peer-reviewed, defendable thesis at Masters (MSD) level based on original research should be required to complete the graduate programme.

So far there is no postgraduate endodontic speciality programme in Germany , fulfilling the above mentioned quality criteria set by the American Board of Endodontics (ABE) or the European Society of Endodontology (ESE).