ABLS Certification in Laser Dentistry — Key Physics of Laser Dentistry (PDF)
- Full Diplomate Certification for Dental Laser Practitioners — in Fundamental Laser Science, Bio-Tissue Interaction, Laser Safety and Dental Laser Procedures
- ABLS Partnership with Full Spectrum Seminars (FSS)
- Available now: The NEW 3rd Edition of Dr. Robert Convissar's Principles and Practice of Laser Dentistry.
Certification for Dental Laser Practitioners
Physician Certification in Fundamental Laser Science, Bio-Tissue Interaction, Laser Safety and Dental Laser Procedures
The American Board of Laser Surgery launched in 2020 its Certification for physicians who specialize in dental laser procedures. The Board recognizes the rapid growth in lasers in dentistry, and the study materials and certifying examinations meet the needs of these specialties. Meanwhile, the Board's certification for all other laser specialties is also available as it has been for over 30 years.
The certification for dental laser practitioners is unique as it includes:
- Fundamental Laser Science, Bio-tissue Interaction, Ethics and Laser Safety, Equipment Selection, and
- Dental Laser Procedures with the designation of relevant specialties
The certification can be earned in a three-step process:
- Submitting an Application for review and acceptance (the same as for all specialties)
- Preparing for and passing the Written Examinations in Fundamental Laser Science, Delivery Systems, Bio-tissue Interaction, Ethics, Laser Safety, Equipment Selection and Dental Laser Procedures
- Sitting for and passing the Oral Specialty Examination
(Please see the Certifications page for details on each step and the applicable fees).
Study Preparation for the Written Examinations:
To prepare for the Written Examinations, the Board provides Study Materials that consist of (1) its proprietary Study Guide on Fundamental Laser Science, Delivery Systems, Bio-tissue Interaction, Ethics, Laser Safety and Equipment Selection; and the book Principles and Practice of Laser Dentistry by Robert A. Convissar, DDS (Elsevier).** These Study Materials provide a complete preparation for the Written Examinations.
The Study Materials Thoroughly Address These Critical Areas:
Fundamental Laser Science and Light-tissue Interaction: Fundamentals of laser physics, optics and operating characteristics for the clinician; biophysics of resurfacing human skin, including the processes of light-tissue interaction; absorption and scattering; power density; beam delivery; super-pulsing and ultra-pulsing; thermal damage; details of laser operation and processes for resurfacing; and new technologies.
Laser Safety: Risks and hazards in use of lasers, inappropriate or unskilled use of lasers, dealing with smoke, eye protection, breakage of fibers, current regulations and laser classifications.
Dental Laser Procedures: Includes the fundamental science and clinical application of lasers in periodontics, prosthetics, implants, oral surgery, restorative dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and endodontics.
NOTE: All candidates will receive the base Study Guide and the book Principles and Practice of Laser Dentistry. Candidates however may elect to selectively take certain procedures in the Dental Laser Procedures Examination that reflect their areas of practice and exclude others that may not apply. The Certificate, when earned, will then reflect the specific procedures selected and tested for. Please contact the Board for further information.
The Study Materials and Written Examinations have been researched, written and revised over a multi-year process by a number of talented and respected Board Officers and Diplomates.
**Please note that these materials have been selected by the Board as part of its educational preparation for the Written Examinations. The publisher and authors do not have a specific endorsement arrangement with the Board.
For additional details and contents of the book, please visit:
shop.elsevier.com.
ABLS Partnership with Courses from Full Spectrum Seminars (FSS)
Full Spectrum Seminars is the first and only US-based dental laser training organization to be able to offer a Certificate of Dental Laser Proficiency in conjunction with the American Board of Laser Surgery. This certification exceeds the Curriculum Guidelines and Standards for Dental Laser Education adopted by the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD). The Curriculum Guidelines and Standards have been endorsed by more than 75 dental and health organizations, universities and manufacturers worldwide.
The Certificate of Dental Laser Proficiency will be available for all seminar attendees who pass an online Course Examination specific to laser dentistry provided as part of Full Spectrum Seminars.
The certification earned will also be a first step towards achieving full Diplomate status with the ABLS for any attendees who optionally choose to proceed to the next level, and at a significantly discounted fee rate. Information is available from the Board at lasers1060@gmail.com.
IF YOU ARE ALREADY REGISTERING FOR A FSS COURSE, PLEASE ALSO REGISTER HERE FOR THE — FSS-ABLS COURSE PROFIENCY EXAM.
About Full Spectrum Seminars
Full Spectrum Seminars was established to assist dental practitioners with the successful use and integration of lasers into their everyday clinical practice, whether purchasing a new laser or learning how to achieve the best results with a current system. Lasers have an important role to play in general dentistry, and FSS provides an independent source of didactic and hands-on training.
Dr. Bob Convissar is the founder of Full Spectrum Seminars and has been a pioneer in laser dentistry. He was one of the very first dentists to incorporate lasers into general practice, and has written numerous text books and peer-reviewed papers on the subject. He currently has authored and edited the number one selling book worldwide on laser dentistry: Principles and Practices in Laser Dentistry. Dr. Convissar has over two decades of experience with CO2, Nd:YAG, Diode, and Erbium wavelengths. He has presented over 300 seminars on five continents. He currently practices cosmetic, restorative and laser dentistry in New York City where he serves as Director of Laser Dentistry at NY Hospital Queens. See below a brief video from Dr. Convissar about why training courses are essential for dental laser practitioners.
When it comes to training and certification, Dr. Convissar recognizes that knowledge and proper training will build the acumen and skill required to incorporate lasers effectively into a dental practice and use them to their fullest capability. Course outline for Full Spectrum Seminars’ two-day course.
Why the Training and Certification Is Important
Despite what dental laser manufacturers may say, lasers are not plug-and-play devices. Look around any modern dental treatment room at all of the modern devices used/procedures performed and note all of the training dentists complete in order to master their use. Dentists don’t just buy a vial of Botox and start injecting patients — they take hours of live courses. Cad-Cam crown manufacturing devices, like CEREC and others aren’t installed in dental offices until the dentist takes many hours of training courses. Even digital radiography is installed with some basic training. Like all hi-tech devices, users need to be thoroughly trained before performing laser surgery on their patients.
Unfortunately, laser dentistry training is, for the most part, lacking. No laser manufacturer requires training before purchasing a device. Many manufacturers believe the only training necessary is a webinar or a DVD with procedures. Nothing could be further from the truth.
To deliver the best possible 21st Century Laser Dentistry care and get the greatest return on their investment in this technology, dentists must be thoroughly trained in all aspects of laser dentistry. Laser procedures and the basic physics behind these remarkable devices — and, of course, laser-tissue interaction — must be part of any dental laser course curriculum.
What the Seminar Covers
The partnership between Full Spectrum Seminars and the American Board of Laser Surgery fulfills this task. This training is comprehensive, live, hands-on training that completely trains all participants in laser dentistry — and it can also lead up to becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery. The laser dentistry training course curriculum includes:
- Non-Surgical, Surgical, and Regenerative Periodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry – including Neonatal Dentistry/Tongue-Tie Release
- Orthodontics
- Oral Surgery/Oral Pathology/Oral Medicine
- Removable Prosthetics and Pre-Prosthetic Care
- Fixed Prosthetics
- Surgical and Restorative Implantology
- Hard Tissue Laser Dentistry/Erbium and Isotopic CO2 Procedures
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Endodontics
- Laser Practice Management
- Laser Physics and Laser-Tissue Interaction
For a complete list of courses, please visit: www.fullspectrumseminars.com and click on Seminar Registration.
ABLS & FSS Dental Laser Certificate of Standard Proficiency
Full Spectrum Seminars has formally adopted the Curriculum Guidelines and Standards for Dental Laser Education, initially developed in July 1992 and revised in 1998, through a consensus process with members from dental academia, industry and private practice. These guidelines establish standards of education for the demonstration of safe and effective use of lasers by dental professionals. Full Spectrum Seminars has taken those educational guidelines one step further – by emphasizing more laser safety, more laser-tissue interaction, and a discussion of virtually every procedure that can be performed with a dental laser.
Candidates who successfully complete the 2-day FSS course, as well as the Course Examination, will be awarded a Certificate of Dental Laser Proficiency, recognized by the ABLS. The Course Examination is not mandatory but is highly recommended, costs just $100, and can be taken conveniently online within 30 days of attending the FSS 2-day program.
For More Information and Enrollment
Please visit Full Spectrum Seminars at www.fullspectrumseminars.com.
Email The ABLS at lasers1060@gmail.com for more information about Certification for Laser Dentistry in the USA.
Read Testimonial
Dr. Joharia Azhar Saadat: About the ABLS Written Exams
“I found the exam to be extremely helpful in enhancing my knowledge. Despite having a fellowship in laser dentistry, there were many things that were unclear in my mind. The exam was a practical demonstration of the phrase ‘assessment drives learning’, if I ever saw one. I congratulate you all for establishing and maintaining this standard. I am so glad to have been given a chance to join the ranks of such learned people in the field of laser dentistry.”
Dr. Joharia Azhar, BDS, MSC (London), MPhill (NUST), Fellowship in Laser Dentistry (Germany), FICD (USA), MHPE.
Associate Professor and Consultant Oral Pathologist,
Division of Oral Pathology and Oral Diagnosis,
Vice Chair PBL Unit, PNU.
Deputy Reagent Section XX Region 24, ICD.
International tutor and director fellowship in laser dentistry (Pakistan)
AALZ, Aachen University, Germany.
Councilor from Pakistan ASOMP (Asian society of Oral and
Maxilofacial Pathology)
Vice Chairperson Healthnet, CEO Pathodont,
Founding President Pakistan Association of Women Dentists, PAWD,
President Federal council, Pakistan Society of Oral and Maxilofacial Pathology, PSOMP
February 21, 2018