Orthodontist Receives Recognition

A Barrington orthodontist has become a “diplomate” of the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO).

Jordan Jaffe of on County Road has been named to “the only specialty board in orthodontics recognized by the American Dental Association,” he said.

“Orthodontists are allowed to call themselves specialists if they have graduated from an ADA-approved specialty program, but most people don't know that only 25 to 30 percent of all practicing orthodontists are actually ‘board certified’," he said in an email.

“To achieve this status, I recently went to the ABO headquarters in St. Louis to present cases I have treated and to diagnose cases which I had never seen before in front of a panel of ‘experts of experts’," Jaffe said.

“The process requires a great deal of work,” Jaffe said, which is probably why only 25 to 30 percent of orthodontists do it. “But it is recognized as a true accomplishment in the field.”

“While I will be the first to admit that there are good providers who are not board certified,” Jaffe said, “the designation truly is an objective measure of quality.”

Jaffe said his certification is for 10 years; it runs through 2022. The Diplomates support the ABO through prep courses, seminars, mentoring, and community activities, according to the ABO website.

Jaffe is very active in the community, especially as a supporter of the Barrington Education Foundation.