Board of Directors Application

ABPD Board of Directors

The role of a director is to serve as an advocate for board certification and support the core values of ABPD by being knowledgeable about and supporting the vision, mission, and strategic plan of ABPD and by advancing the oral health of children and the specialty of pediatric dentistry for the pediatric dental professionals and their patients.

The board of directors is comprised of six directors and is a six-year commitment.
 

Click here to download a job description outlining fiduciary duties and key responsibilities of an ABPD Board of Directors member. 

Eligibility

Eligible candidates must meet the following minimal qualifications: 

• Be a diplomate in good standing with the ABPD
• Be an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
• Must be board certified for at least five years
• Must be actively involved in direct patient care or clinical teaching of pediatric dentistry on a weekly basis or an average number of days within a month to count toward the weekly requirement
• Have a record of leadership in pediatric dentistry as evidenced by one or more of the following:
• Two years of service to the ABPD as an examiner, consultant, and/or member of the Examination Committee or Advisory Council
• One year of service as part leader of an ABPD Examination Subcommittee
• Two years of service as chair of an AAPD council, committee, or task force
• Term as Trustee of the AAPD (Note: AAPD trustees and officers are ineligible to serve concurrently as a director of the ABPD)
• Participation in the Academy's Kellogg Leadership Institute
• Two years of service as program director or department chair of an ADA-accredited specialty training program in pediatric dentistry
• Other significant administrative contributions to pediatric dentistry (by report)

Application Process

The application will open September 1, 2026, and close on October 15, 2026. The online application and emailed reference forms need to be submitted by the due date to be considered. The application materials will be collated for review by ABPD's Nominations Subcommittee, and select candidates will be interviewed via video conference in the fall.  ABPD's Nominations Subcommittee will provide recommendations to the ABPD Board of Directors for consideration.

Following the meeting, the ABPD Board of Directors will provide their final nominations to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's (AAPD) Nominations Committee. AAPD's Nominations Committee will conduct a final round of interviews with each nominee in December, and a candidate will be presented to the AAPD Board of Directors for final approval. All nominees must agree to participate in the interviewing process. The candidate will be voted on by the membership at the Annual General Assembly in May 2027, with the official term with ABPD beginning January 1 of 2028.  

Application & Supporting Documentation

the Director application for the 2028-2033 cycle will open on september 1. To be considered, the items below must be submitted by october 15, 2026. 

• Application
• Essay summarizing leadership skills and interest to serve
• Photo
• Background description or biography suitable for Publishing in Pediatric Dentistry Today
• Abbreviated CV (e.g. CV without presentations or publications; two-page limit)
• Three letters of recommendation (see below) 

Letters of recommendation must be written by an active or life AAPD Member and are further subject to the following condition: one letter must be from a past director of the ABPD or a past or current member of the Academy's elected leadership (i.e. trustees and elected officers). Current ABPD Directors and staff cannot provide letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation will need to be submitted to Laura Leigh Blair via email, lblair@abpd.org. 

An application and supporting documentation has a shelf life of five years. If reapplying, please contact Laura Leigh Blair via email, lblair@abpd.org, to update your application on file.