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AO Master and Diplomate Certificates

General Practitioners Requirements
(Including Non-NCRDSCB [National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards] This includes Specialists receiving their specialty certificate from a non-North American university.

General practitioner applicants and non-NCRDSCB specialists must complete the credentialing track in one of the AO-approved Training Centers. No other means of educational credits will be accepted including certifications from ICOI and AAID as well as university-based implant programs. Click here to view the list of AO-approved Training Centers.

Application Fees:

Master application fee: $1,000 – AO Member / $1500 Non-member
Diplomate application fee: $2,500 – AO Member / $3,750 Non-member

AO Master Certificate applicants must:

  • Complete the online application to upload two implant cases from the applicable category. See below for case criteria.
  • Successfully pass a comprehensive one-hour online multiple-choice exam.
  • Successfully pass a one-hour oral examination at the upcoming AO Annual Meeting where the applicant will be scheduled to meet with at least two AO Credentialing Board Members to review committee-selected cases and provide and defend treatment decisions based on the following criteria:
    1. Response is complete and supported by sound rationale and appropriate scientific literature
    2. Response is complete but lacks sound rationale and supporting evidence
    3. Response is incomplete
    4. Response could be harmful to the patient
  • Have attended at least one AO Annual Meeting in the past 3 years.

AO Diplomate Certificate applicants must:

  • Complete the online application to upload two implant cases from the applicable category. See below for case criteria.
  • Successfully pass a comprehensive one-hour online multiple-choice exam.
  • Successfully pass a one-hour oral examination at the upcoming AO Annual Meeting where the applicant will be scheduled to meet with at least two AO Credentialing Board Members to review committee-selected cases and provide and defend treatment decisions based on the following criteria:
    1. Response is complete and supported by sound rationale and appropriate scientific literature
    2. Response is complete but lacks sound rationale and supporting evidence
    3. Response is incomplete
    4. Response could be harmful to the patient
  • Have attended at least two AO Annual Meetings in the past 5 years.

Please note: Beginning in November 2025, Masters applicants must have attended one (1) AO annual meeting in a 3-year period and Diplomate applicants must have attended two (2) annual meetings in a 5-year period. 

Continuing Education courses qualifying for both certificates can be included from certified AO Training Centers (see sidebar on right), domestic and international university centers, medical schools, hospitals and private practices accredited by the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP), or other comparable accrediting organizations approved by the Academy of Osseointegration.

Please note: Beginning in November 2025, ALL CE credit requirements can only be obtained from an AO-approved Training Center program. Click below to view the list of AO Approved Training Centers. Online education requirements may still be earned through AO online webinars and education. 

Case Presentation Information

Applications for both the Master and Diplomate Certificates request the following information:

  • Title;
  • Clinician Name;
  • Summary;
  • Background – up to 60 words about why you think this case is important;
  • Case Presentation – Presenting features, dental/social/family history;
  • Investigations / Evidence-based Research – This is required to support your treatment. Limit the literature review to 4-5 key articles;
  • Outcome and Follow-up – Provide 150-word description for the final treatment outcome and whether or not the goals of your treatment have been achieved;
  • Discussion – include a brief review, 100 words or less, of any complications or problems and how they were handled;
  • Learning Points / Take-home Messages – List 3-5 bullet points;
  • Image Upload – Upload one or multiple images in jpg, png, pdf format. Hard copies can be sent by using the mailing address listed at the top of this form. Please include radiographs and make sure the images are of high quality.

Please ensure to include the following in your case presentations:

  • Pre-op and post-op clinical photos and radiographs (CBCT optional);
  • Specific treatment photos/radiographs (show surgery procedure or prosthetic procedure – step-by-step – as thoroughly as possible);
  • Final outcome photos and radiographs;
  • Written narrative of treatment and outcome assessment in this case including any complications that occurred and how you resolved them. Also, please provide scientific examples/citations behind your rationale where applicable. Pre-existing conditions, including periodontal conditions, should be indicated;
  • FOR DIPLOMATES ONLY: Only completed cases with at least a one-year follow-up will be considered.

Apply for the AO Master Certificate

MASTER CERTIFICATE APPLICATION FORM - AO Member
MASTER CERTIFICATE APPLICATION FORM - Non-member

Apply for the AO Diplomate Certificate

DIPLOMATE CERTIFICATE APPLICATION FORM - AO Member
DIPLOMATE CERTIFICATE APPLICATION FORM - Non-member

Need to complete additional CE training?

See Training Center information below:

Currently AO has eight (8) approved international training centers that meet AO’s strict academic and training criteria. These programs provide advanced education and training in the art of dental implants. All training centers must meet or exceed AO’s Training Provider requirements for Master/Diplomate Clinician Courses in Dental Implant Dentistry. These qualified institutions have ensured that sufficient faculty, financial resources, and academic support exist and comply with AO’s requirements.

Each qualified institution site has the necessary professional, technical, and clinical personnel to comply with AO’s requirements. Upon the completion of the training center programs, participants are prepared to take either the Master or Diplomate online credentialing exam; must submit the required amount of case presentations; and successfully pass the required in-person oral exam in order to receive their respective certificate.

Approved Training Centers include:

Lake Como Institute
Director: Tiziano Testori, MD, DDS, MSc
Como, ITALY
email: info@tiziano-testori.it

POZZI INSTITUTE – International Center for Advanced Dentistry
Director: Alessandro Pozzi, DDS, PhD, MSc
Rome, ITALY
email: profpozzi@me.com

Top Dental Education and Training Co., Ltd.
Director: Joey T. Chen, DDS
Shanghai, CHINA
email: anshindental@gmail.com

AniDent Dental Education Center / Eternity Advanced Osseointegration Centre
Director: Shih-Chang Tseng, DDS
Taipei, TAIWAN
email: edingarden0917@gmail.com

Encia Dental Specialist, SDN, BHD
Director: Jeanette K. L. Chua, BDSc, MAC, MS
Kuala Lumpur WP, MALAYSIA
email: JCKL338WORK@gmail.com

Toronto Implant Institute Inc.
Director: Natalie Y. Wong, DDS
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Email: info@ti2inc.com

Dental Implants The Course One-on-One Training
Director: Emilio Arguello, DDS, MSc
Guadalajara, Mexico; Cancun, Mexico
Email: info@implantsthecourse.com

IPOI Academic Society
Director: Tetsuji Takahashi, DDS, PhD
Fukuoka, Japan
Email: ipoiimplant@gmail.com

Keep checking this page for additional information and updates.

Would you like to be an AO approved training center?

CLICK HERE to contact us to receive more information.

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