For the first time since the pandemic began, the PBO was finally able to administer Phase 1 examinations in person last November 9,2022, at the Metroclub. All five members of the Examination Committee, composed of Drs. Sandra Syliangco Adriano, Marianne Hernandez, Annabelle Kopio, Teresa Goduco and Maria Victoria Reyes, were present. All 8 examinees, 4 from UE , 4 from CEU, successfully passed the interview and manual dexterity examinations administered on that day. All passers are now eligible to take the Phase II examination scheduled on February 7,2023.

By: Dr. Ermelinda Sabater-Galang

Recognizing the importance of accreditation, the UP Graduate Program in Orthodontics applied for Philippine Board of Orthodontics (PBO) Accreditation recently. Having completed all the requirements, a site visit was scheduled by the Accreditation and Credentials Committee (ACC) on August 31, 2022.

Recently, the UP Graduate Program in Orthodontics expressed interest in applying for PBO Accreditation. Having completed all the requirements, a site visit was scheduled by the Accreditation and Credentials Committee (ACC) on August 31, 2022.

The committee set to evaluate the Program, was composed of Dr. Angela Centeno, Dr. Robert Eustaquio, Dr. Teresa Goduco, Dr. Catherine Juliano, and Dr. Ermelinda Galang as Chair. The site visitors were welcomed by the Chair of the Orthodontic Program, Dr. Cristina M. Laureta and the Dean of the UP College of Dentistry, Dr. Michelle S. Segarra, and a group of faculty members led by Dr. Martin Reyes, Dr. Ethel Escultura, Dr. Cecile Tuaño-Cabrera, Dr. Marie Joanna Marañon, Dr. Josievitz Zafra, and several students/residents of the Advanced Orthodontic Education Program.

Welcome remarks were given by Dean Michelle Segarra, Program Head Dr. Cristina Laureta, and Dr. Martin Reyes, after which Dr. Galang and Dr. Juliano gave a brief introduction of the purpose and importance of being accredited.  

The UP Orthodontic Program expressed that it continues to conform with local and international standards to be globally competitive.

The exchange of introductory remarks was immediately followed by a tour of the facilities led by several teaching staff and non-academic staff. While inspecting the facilities, questions were raised to verify important information. The site visit culminated in a closed-door discussion between the ACC and the residents and the ACC and the faculty separately.

After a thorough deliberation among the Accreditation and Credentials Committee members, the Orthodontic Program was found to have met the basic standards required for accreditation. Upon approval of the Executive Council of the PBO headed by Dr. Rachel Yang-Lim, the UP Orthodontic Graduate Program was accredited on October 24, 2022. The accreditation is valid for 10 (ten) years.

With this PBO Accreditation achievement for the UP College of Dentistry Graduate Program in Orthodontics, it is hoped that other universities offering Orthodontic Graduate Programs will follow suit.

This is to announce that Dr Martin V. Reyes recently took the Phase 4 examination last July 7, 2021. The examination committee composed of Dr. Sandra Syliangco-Adriano (Chair), and its members, Dr. Marianne Perez-Hernandez, Dr. Teresa Paras Goduco, Dr. Annabelle Eloise Dy-Kopio and Dr. Maria Victoria R. Reyes, conducted a comprehensive virtual examination which Dr. Reyes passed.

On August 2, 2021, Dr. Reyes was conferred the title, Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Orthodontics in the presence of Dr. Rachel Yang-Lim, PBO Chair and Dr. Sandra Syliangco-Adriano, Exam committee chair.

The PBO Phase 1 examinations were held on November 21,2018. Out of 22 Examinees, there were 20 Passers — 12 from the University of the East, 7 from Manila Central University and 1 from Centro Escolar University.

The Phase 2 written examinations were held at Metroclub last January 23, 2019. 8 passed out of a total of 18 examinees — 4 from the University of the East, 2 from Manila Central University 1 from Korea University and 1 from Centro Escolar University.

Another batch of examinees took the Phase 2 written examinations last March 27, 2019 at Metroclub. 6 from the University of the East and 2 from Manila Central University successfully passed.

Last January 22, 2020 PBO Phase 2 written examination took place at Metroclub with two (2) applicants from Manila Central University passing the Phase 2 examination. The Examination was attended by the Chair of the Examination committee, Dr. Sandra Adriano and PBO Chair, Dr. Angela Centeno and the Examination committee members, Dr. Teresa Goduco, Dr. Marianne Hernandez and Dr. Annabelle Kopio.

Currently, there is no PBO accredited Orthodontic postgraduate university training program in the Philippines. Graduates of accredited orthodontic programs are exempted from taking the Phase 1 interview and dexterity examinations.