VCU School of Dentistry faculty members earn prestigious diplomate certifications
Pictured left to right: Drs. Amber Ather and Jayakumar Jayaraman
Two VCU School of Dentistry faculty members have earned board certification and are now diplomates of the National Boards for their respective dental specialties, a pinnacle achievement in dentistry.
Amber Ather, B.D.S., M.D.S., D.D.S., M.S., assistant professor and director of research in the Department of Endodontics, has successfully satisfied all requirements of the board certification process and is now a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics (ABE).
Board certification is the lengthy process by which dentists demonstrate through written, oral, and practical examinations, the highest level of knowledge, training and clinical skills in their dental specialty.
“This is a dream come true,” said Ather. “During my endodontic training back in India, I always looked up to U.S. training and becoming a board-certified endodontist. Board certification is a validation of my hard work and this is something that I always wanted to achieve.”
In earning board certification, Ather has reached the highest level of education in endodontics and joins a distinguished group, as approximately 25% of endodontists are board-certified.
As a new Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, Ather is now the fourth board-certified endodontist at VCU School of Dentistry, joining Drs. Garry Myers, Richard Archer and Ana Andrada.
Ather will be officially pinned at the Louis L. Grossman Ceremony at the AAE annual meeting in May 2023.
Jayakumar Jayaraman, B.D.S., M.D.S., F.D.S.R.C.S., M.S., Ph.D., associate professor and director of research in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, has successfully completed his oral examination and is now a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD).
As a Diplomate of the ABPD, Jayaraman has demonstrated advanced expertise, skill, commitment to continuous competency and lifelong learning and dedication to providing quality patient care in pediatric dentistry.
“I am humbled and honored. This is a pinnacle achievement of pediatric dentistry,” said Jayaraman.
Earning diplomate status in the U.S. is a particularly impressive achievement for Jayaraman, who joins a rare and esteemed group of pediatric dentists who are board certified in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Jayaraman received his certification in pediatric dentistry in 2012, at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, where he also serves as an examiner.
“Having this recognition is achieving an international benchmark. I am able to integrate two perspectives from my training and experience to enhance patients’ well-being and care,” said Jayaraman.
Jayaraman will be pinned at the ABPD annual meeting in May 2023.
“The various dental specialties require their eligible dentists to pass a series of examinations to reach Diplomate status, affirming their knowledge and abilities as dental specialists,” said VCU School of Dentistry Dean Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D. “Among our VCU Dental School faculty, we have a culture of pursuing this highest level of clinical achievement and recently, Dr. Amber Ather has completed the full spectrum of examinations and is now recognized by the American Board of Endodontics as a Diplomate of the Board. Additionally, Dr. Jayaraman has passed the oral examination of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, propelling him to diplomate status in the ABPD.
“Congratulations to Dr. Ather and Dr. Jayaraman for their tremendous professional accomplishments,” Cooper added. “I am especially grateful for their efforts that further exemplify our faculty’s dedication and commitment to providing the highest quality of patient care and education to our dental students, residents, and patients.”
Categories Endodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Schoolwide News