Ann Arbor, MI — March 14, 2011 — Dr. Mauricio Moeller, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, Division of Prosthodontics, at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, recently became board certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics.  

The Board’s mission is to certify individuals have successfully completed its four-part examination which includes passing a written examination, selecting three patients with special prosthodontic needs for treatment, preparing and writing up the three cases, and defending the diagnoses and treatments to a panel of peers.  Board certification also means Moeller will be required to be recertified every eight years to insure he is current in his prosthodontic skills and knowledge.

Describing the four-part exam as “rather rigorous,” Moeller said because of the ABP’s requirements to take the test, which is given only twice annually, he needed 13 months to finish his patient treatments and prepare for the examination. 

“Successfully completing this peer-reviewed examination is a validation of one’s clinical skills,” Moeller said.  “I am a better clinician and my patients will benefit from the greater depth of knowledge about prosthodontics and prosthodontic care.”

Moeller said he considers himself to be in good company at U-M.  “The School of Dentistry currently has five board certified prosthodontic faculty members, which is an unusually high number for a prosthodontic department,” he said.  Moeller added that only those who have successfully completed the ABP’s examination process can be considered as directors of a graduate prosthodontic program.  He noted that in Michigan, beginning this month, only ABP diplomats can apply for a specialty license in prosthodontics.

Moeller earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of San Andres in La Paz, Bolivia in 1997.  After graduation, he worked in a private practice for two years and was a part-time instructor at the University del Valle in La Paz.  In 2000 he came to the U.S. to complete the postgraduate program in prosthodontics at U-M.  He has been a faculty member at the School of Dentistry since 2005.