Continuing Education Regulations FAQ's

Following are the most up-to-date regulations required for dental licensure in California.

CE Regulations FAQ's

 

Per the California Dental Board, all California licensed dentists must complete a minimum of 50 hours of continuing education course credit every two year renewal period - renewal expiration dependent upon birth month.

All California licensed RDHs (and all sub-categories) and RDAs (and all subcategories) must complete a minimum of 25 hours of continuing education course credit every two year renewal period - renewal expiration dependent upon birth month.

Mandatory courses within each two year renewal cycle period for licensees include
Health care professional CPR basic life support (eligible for 4 units Category I credit)
A minimum of 2 units infection control
A minimum of 2 units Dental Practice Act

In addition, Cal-OSHA requires all employees who are exposed to bloodborne pathogens,
whether licensed or unlicensed, be trained in OSHA compliance ANNUALLY.
OSHA is unconcerned whether an individual obtains CE credit for the training - just that all be trained.


Read here for more information about what courses may, or may not, be allowable

RDHs and RDAs with expanded functions must obtain additional course credit.
Regulations regarding those designations can be found on the Dental Board website at

www.dbc.ca.gov

UNLICENSED DENTAL ASSISTANTS
As of January 1, 2010 - the Dental Board of California has instituted additional training regulations for
all unlicensed dental assistants, which includes any employee who has clinical contact with patients,
or who is required to don personal protective equipment in the course of their duties.
Dentist employers will be responsible for ensuring any unlicensed dental assistant hired on or after January 1, 2010,
and employed beyond 120 days of employment, provide evidence of course completion for the following two courses within 12 months of the date of hire:


-Basic life support CPR (this must be maintained current during course of employment);
-Dental Practice Act Seminar (minimum 2 hours - this is a one-time requirement)
-8 hour seminar in infection control, 4 hours of which must be didactic (also a one-time requirement)

 

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