Promoting Your Designation

Download ABDSM Promoting Your Designation Guidelines


Upon notification by the ABDSM, individuals may use the following options to display their designation:

  • Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
  • Diplomate, ABDSM
  • D. ABDSM
  • International Certificant, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
  • International Certificant, ABDSM
In the context of a sentence, the following is permissible:
  • Dr. (Name) is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
or
  • Dr. (Name) is an International Certificant of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
The use of this designation in any form is strictly prohibited prior to notification by the ABDSM Board of Directors that all requirements have been successfully completed.

Prohibited Terms

In order to protect themselves from action on the part of state licensing boards, Diplomates of the ABDSM must not use the following terms to describe their designation:
  • Board-certified
  • Certified
  • Credentialed
  • Certification
For information about state-specific advertising regulations please refer to your state’s dental practice act, accessible through the AADSM's State Dental Boards page.

Scope of the Designation

Diplomate status does not denote specialty status or specialty recognition. Furthermore, it does not confer or imply any legal qualification, licensure, or privilege in professional activities as they relate to oral appliance therapy or oral surgery for sleep-disordered breathing. It signifies a professional commitment to education, knowledge, and experience in dental sleep medicine. It recognizes those dentists duly licensed by law who have successfully completed the requirements established by the ABDSM. Dental sleep medicine is not recognized as a specialty area by the American Dental Association.

ABDSM Diplomate Logo

Diplomates and International Certificants of the ABDSM are prohibited from using the official color ABDSM logo in any manner. This includes websites, marketing materials, stationery, patient education materials, product literature, business cards, internal correspondence, promotional items, etc.

Only current ABDSM Diplomates in good standing may use the black and white Diplomate logo. ABDSM Diplomates are permitted to use the Diplomate logo with permission from the ABDSM and must agree to the terms and conditions for use.

To review the terms and conditions and request a copy of the logo for use, click here: 

Request Diplomate Logo