Introduction
Welcome to the website of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (“ABOMP,” “we,” or “us”). We are committed to respecting your privacy and to protecting information that you provide to us. The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to describe what data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and why, and when it is shared with third parties. Our goal in establishing this Privacy Policy is to assure you that information disclosed to us is handled appropriately, respecting the privacy of your information.
Information We May Collect
Personal Information: We require that dentists, seeking board certification, provide certain personally identifiable information, including name, mailing address, email address, phone number, date of birth, government-issued identification numbers, education, and professional background information. We use this personal information to identify and communicate with dentists, and to determine their board eligibility to become a candidate for certification and to maintain their certification. By applying for certification or submitting information for continuing certification and providing data to us, whether through applications, surveys, forms, or other means, dentists consent to our use of their data in accordance with this Privacy Policy. Dentists may make limited changes to their personal information at any time by visiting our website, clicking the “Log In” button at the top right corner.
Survey Information: We may include surveys as part of the application and examination process, Certification Maintenance, and at the end of exams. At times, we may survey residents, fellows, or diplomates directly concerning specific topics. This information is used for internal business purposes, to inform and improve our programs, and to anticipate trends in the pathology workforce.
Financial Information: When dentists pay an examination fee or Certification Maintenance fee via our website, certain financial information, such as credit card numbers, credit card expiration dates, and billing addresses, are used to charge the dentist. Credit card information is not retained by us. Credit card information provided by dentists will be used only for billing purposes and will not be provided to any third party.
How Information is Used for Internal Business Purposes: The ABOMP makes information available to its employees and vendors for internal business purposes only, such as tracking the training of residents and fellows; credentialing dentists for initial certification and continuing certification; registration, administration, and scoring of examinations; and recording completion of certification and continuing certification activities required by the ABOMP.
Release of Information to Third Parties for Business Purposes: Except as provided in this Policy, we regard all personally identifiable information as private and confidential, and will therefore use it only for our internal business purposes. We may disclose certain information in certain circumstances, including the following:
1. Diplomate Data
We consider a dentist’s certification status, including the status of the dentist’s participation in the ABOMP’s Certification Maintenance Program, to be public information. We may provide and display a dentist’s current certification status. We disclose this information to third parties on request.
2. Aggregate Data
We regard the results of an individual dentist’s examination, ABOMP-approved activity performance, and survey responses as private and confidential. We may make available the aggregate results of various groups (e.g., residents, fellows, diplomates) at our discretion. We publish examination pass rates on our website to inform the public; however, we do not identify individual dentists, only aggregated exam results.
3. Electronic Communications
We may use third party companies to deliver electronic communications. We will enter reasonable confidentiality agreements with these third parties to safeguard the information they transmit on our behalf.
Conditional Release of Information
1. Misconduct
We reserve the right to disclose information in our possession to appropriate investigators or entities (e.g., state medical boards, credentialing bodies) regarding any individual whom the ABPath, in our sole and absolute discretion, suspects or determines has: (i) violated our rules, policies, procedures, or required competencies (e.g. codes of ethical behavior); (ii) engaged in misrepresentation or unprofessional behavior; (iii) had their diplomate status revoked or been otherwise disciplined.
2. Court Order
We will disclose all relevant information in our possession for which we do not have a claim of legal privilege in response to a lawful subpoena, court order, or an authorized request by a government or regulatory entity. We may also disclose personal information if we believe it is necessary to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding suspected illegal activities.
3. Consent
We will release information not otherwise disclosed pursuant to this Privacy Policy to third parties upon the direction of and receipt of a signed authorization from the physician for whom the information pertains.
EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The GDPR is an update of the original 1996 EU Data Protection Directive (“Directive”). The purpose of the Directive, and now the GDPR, is to protect the privacy of individual residents of the European Economic Area countries by giving them control of how and for what purposes their personal data is collected, stored, maintained, processed, purchased, sold, transferred, and used. It also ensures that there is consistency across the European Union (EU) with respect to protection of personal data.
Without written consent from a diplomate residing in a European Economic Area country, ABOMP will abide by the following guidelines:
- ABOMP will not release diplomate information (personal, contact, or certification status) to any organization/individual except the diplomate.
- ABOMP will not collect, manage, report a diplomate’s certifications or Certification Maintenance information/status.
- ABOMP will only retain the current information in systems; ABOMP will not update the diplomate’s records/information after May 25, 2018.
- ABOMP will only be authorized to release diplomate information to the diplomate.
- ABOMP cannot collect, manage or release diplomate information to include Certification Maintenance activities such as CME credit, licensure, etc.
Protection of Your Information
ABOMP has put in place various physical, electronic, and managerial security procedures to safeguard and secure the information that we collect. Such security is not impenetrable, and therefore ABOMP cannot guarantee that information transmitted to us over the internet will not be intercepted and therefore may not remain private. ABOMP is not responsible for any damages incurred as a result of any such security breach.
Credit card processing activities and related technologies comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). We will not share an individual’s financial information with third parties for any other purpose, except as required by law (such as complying with a subpoena or court order).
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to periodically update or change this Privacy Policy. Posting of an update to this Privacy Policy on our website will serve as notice of that update. The updated statement (along with its effective date) may be viewed by visiting our website and selecting the “Privacy Policy” link at the bottom of the home page.
By logging onto ABOMP website(s) and using them to submit information, you signify your agreement with the terms of the Privacy Policy and that you release and hold harmless ABOMP, its Directors, trustees, and employees from any and all claims arising from the loss, misuse, or alteration of personal information submitted by you.
Questions regarding this Policy may be directed to [email protected]. Effective Date of Current Policy: October 20, 2023.