Advocacy Alert: HealthGrades

Advocacy Alert: Convince HealthGrades to Recognize Dental Specialty Board Certification

The AAE recently learned that popular website HealthGrades.com, which pulls certifications from the medical specialties, does not include dental specialty board certification information on its site. This is a tremendous oversight and in conflict with HealthGrades’ stated mission to “provide consumers with the information they need to make more informed decisions, including information about the provider’s expertise.” Dental specialty board certification equates to the medical boards, and thus should be recognized on any patient-facing platform as well.

In an effort to change HealthGrades’ policy, the AAE, along with the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Periodontology, American College of Prosthodontists, and American Association of Orthodontists, cosigned a letter to the company on the matter last month.

If you are Board-certified, you can do the same. Contact HealthGrades and ask them to change their policy. Several members have already contacted HealthGrades. If you have any questions, please contact Helen Jameson, AAE assistant executive director for Professional Affairs, at professionalaffairs@aae.org.