New Continuing Education Regulations FAQ

On April 1, 2010, the Dental Board of California (DBC) adopted new continuing education regulations.  Fundamentally, the new regulations will eliminate the specific references to Category I and Category II courses. However, the regulations continue to limit certain types of CE courses to no more than 20 percent of a licensee’s total units during each renewal cycle and continue to require all licensees to take board-approved courses in infection control, the California Dental Practice Act, and certification in basic life support.

What are the significant changes to the regulations that took effect 4/08/2010?

The distinction of course content is now:

  • Mandatory courses
  • “Courses in the actual delivery of dental services to the patient or the community,” which should be the main focus of continuing education. (CORE)
  • “ Courses that are primarily of benefit to the licensee,” which would be limited to 20 percent of the licensee’s total units. Examples include courses improving production flow, data management, practice administration and office operations, leadership and team development, teaching methodology, peer evaluation, human resource management, and employee benefits. (20%)
  • Non-eligible for C.E. credit are courses “considered to be of direct benefit to the licensee,” such as personal finance, personal health and fitness, dental practice sales, valuation, etc.. Courses pertaining to the provision of elective facial cosmetic surgery, unless the licensee has a special board permit cannot be taken for C.E. credit

Note: Although there are no longer Cat. 1 and Cat. 2 requirements, the licensee is still limited to 20% of the courses in certain content areas. As a courtesy to course attendees, CDA will indicate course content with either “CORE” or “20%”.

Acceptance of ADA CERP course and AGD PACE courses:

  • The new regulations now will allow credits for courses given by approved providers by the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the AGD Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE) with the exception of the mandatory courses.  The course must meet the same content requirements as outlined in the regulations.

Are there any changes in the mandatory courses?

California Dental Practice Act (CDPA)

  • The CDPA course content now requires including information on the mandatory reporter obligation for child and elder abuse and neglect to include the clinical signs to look for in identifying abuse.

Requirements for certification in Basic Life Support

  • In addition to a course provided by the  American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross (ARC), there is now provision for other providers that are approved by ADA CERP, AGD PACE, and meet the following content requirements:
  • The regulations specify that a BLS course shall include all of the following:
    • Instruction in both adult and pediatric CPR, including 2-resucer
    • Instruction in foreign-body airway obstruction
    • Instruction in relief of choking for adults, child and infant
    • Instruction in the use of automated external defibrillation with CPR
    • A live, in-person skills practice session, a skills test and written exam
  • A maximum of 4 units can be earned for BLS

Can Basic Life Support be taken online?

  • The didactic portion can be taken online, but there must be an in-person practice session.

Are there courses not previously eligible for CE that are now eligible for CE credit?

  • Courses in substance abuse and dependency issues as it relates to pt. safety, professional conduct, ethical considerations or malpractice
  • Courses in behavioral sciences, guidance and management in the delivery of care
  • Courses in the selection, incorporation and use of current and emerging technologies
  • Courses in cultural competencies such as bilingual dental terminology, cross-cultural communication that will serve to enhance pt. experience.
  • Courses in leadership development and team development in 20% content area
  • Peer review and case studies that review clinical evaluation in the 20% content area

Note: See CE regulations on DBC web site at www.dbc.ca.gov.

What type of courses are not eligible for CE credits?

If the course is of direct benefit to the licensee. Such topics include:

  • Money management, personal finances, financial planning, estate planning and personal investments
  • Physical fitness and personal health
  • Political or public figure presentations that do not deal with issues impacting dentistry.
  • Courses to improve the licensee as a business person or to improve personal profitability, including motivation and marketing
  • Courses pertaining to the purchase or sale of dental practices, transfer of ownership, etc.
  • Courses pertaining to elective facial cosmetic surgery (except for special permitted Oral Surgeons)

Can the instructor of a course receive CE units for the course they are presenting?

Instructors of courses (presented for other providers) may receive CE credit for up to 20% of their total units.