ABDSM Exam

Earning certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) is an important way to demonstrate your clinical knowledge and experience in the provision of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The certification process involves the completion of a computer-based examination and either the submission of case studies or completion of the AADSM Mastery Program. 

For details, see the 2020 certification guidelines which are now available.

Applications for the 2020 examination will be accepted in October 2019

The application window for the 2020 ABDSM board certification examination in dental sleep medicine is October 1-31, 2019. Applications for both the Mastery Track and the Traditional Track will be accepted online only on the ABDSM Application webpage.  

About ABDSM

Established in 2004, the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) is an independent, nonprofit board of examiners that certifies dentists who treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. Today more than 500 ABDSM Diplomates are providing quality treatment for patients across the country.

Benefits of ABDSM Certification.

Stand apart in dental sleep medicine with an elite board certification that sleep physicians know and respect. ABDSM Diplomate status is the gold standard in dental sleep medicine demonstrating that a dentist has the technical skill, in-depth knowledge and professional judgment to provide optimal oral appliance therapy care. Use the power of ABDSM board certification to build a firm foundation for your dental sleep medicine practice with physicians, payors and patients and position your practice for more referrals, more collaborative partnerships and more growth.

The 4 Steps to Certification (Traditional Track)


Submit prerequisites including dental license, CE, letters of recommendation and sleep center hours.


Take the examination at a Kryterion testing center near you during a designated two-week testing window.


Submit 10 oral appliance therapy cases according to the certification guideline criteria.


Maintain Diplomate status by earning continuing education hours and paying an annual fee.