The California Department of Consumer Affairs on Jan. 11 reinstated a waiver that temporarily lets dental professionals in California count recorded lectures as live continuing education as long as the courses are web-based and allow participants to interact with the presenter in real time.
The DCA originally issued the waiver titled “Order Waiving Restrictions on Internet-Based Continuing Education Training for Dental Professionals” in September 2020 under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s March 2020 State of Emergency proclamation, which allows state agencies and departments to ease restrictions and make additional resources available as part of the state’s pandemic response. But the waived restrictions expired Dec. 31, 2021, under a separate DCA order, as CDA previously reported.
Now, with the omicron variant causing a surge in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in California, primarily among unvaccinated populations, and some counties issuing tighter restrictions and even bans on indoor gatherings, dental professionals have regained the flexibility to satisfy live C.E. requirements through recorded courses with a live component.
Dentists are encouraged to review which courses still require an in-person skills session, such as the Basic Life Support training.
The reinstated waiver is effective immediately and does not currently have an expiration date “but may be amended as circumstances require,” the order states.
C.E. completion deadlines approaching for some licensees
Other DCA waivers that pertain to dentists and dental professionals have expired. Individuals whose licenses expired between March 31, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, had until Jan. 26 to complete the continuing education courses and pass the examinations to satisfy their license-renewal requirements.
Dental professionals with October 2021 license expirations had until March 2022 to satisfy their license-renewal requirements.
Licensees must still apply for their license renewal and pay the renewal fees by the respective due dates.
Both waivers are the result of CDA’s continued advocacy to ensure members can continue to safely provide care during the pandemic.
Courses available through CDA’s Online Learning library
Dentists can search for live and on-demand courses offered year-round through CDA Presents Online Learning. CDA members receive exclusive benefits, including waived fees and discounts on select courses.
Additionally, CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry will bring 12 of the courses offered in Anaheim May 12-14 in live-streaming format to dentists and their teams. Registration is opening in February. Watch for more details from CDA.