Navigating American Dental Association Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing education is vital for dental professionals to stay abreast of the latest advancements, techniques, and regulations in the field. The American Dental Association (ADA) plays a significant role in ensuring the quality of continuing dental education through its Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP). This article delves into the intricacies of ADA CERP and continuing education requirements for dental professionals, focusing on key aspects such as provider recognition, course requirements, and compliance.

Understanding ADA CERP

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association designed to assist dental professionals in pinpointing high-quality continuing dental education providers. It is a program dedicated to reviewing continuing dental education providers and acknowledging those that consistently meet established standards of educational quality. ADA CERP recognition hinges on a provider's ability to demonstrate adherence to ADA CERP standards and criteria.

Provider Recognition

Providers wishing to gain ADA CERP recognition must first complete a pre-application addressing ADA CERP eligibility criteria. If the Commission determines a provider meets the eligibility criteria, the provider can apply for recognition using the ADA CERP Application for Recognition, relating to each of the ADA CERP standards and criteria. Providers approved by the Commission will be designated "ADA CERP recognized providers" for a recognition period of two, three, or four years. New applicants may be eligible for an Initial Recognition period of two years.

The Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition (CCEPR) notifies recognized providers about re-recognition procedures, including a specific schedule, about twelve months before the recognition expiration date. Recognized providers must complete and submit an ADA CERP Application for Recognition by the specified deadline.

Standards and Criteria

The ADA CERP Standards and Criteria are subject to review and modification by the Commission at its discretion. To maintain recognition, continuing dental education providers must comply with ADA CERP standards and criteria as modified. CCEPR will notify recognized providers of program updates and changes. The most current version of the ADA CERP Recognition Standards and Procedures is always available at CCEPR.ADA.org.

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Joint Providership

Joint providership occurs when an ADA CERP-recognized provider collaborates with another provider of continuing dental education for implementing, evaluating, and keeping records for a continuing dental education activity. Responsibility for continuing education activities must rest with the ADA CERP-recognized provider whenever the provider acts in cooperation with providers that are not recognized. When two or more ADA CERP-recognized providers act in cooperation to plan and implement an activity, one must take responsibility for ensuring compliance with CERP Standards. Letters of agreement between the joint providers must outline each party’s responsibilities for the CE activity.

Adverse Actions and Appeals

The Commission sends notice that it is initiating an adverse action in a transmittal letter to the provider no later than fourteen (14) days after the Commission’s meeting in which it determined to take this action. If a provider wishes to request that the Commission reconsider an adverse action that has been initiated, the provider must notify the Commission in writing within thirty (30) days of notification of the Commission’s intent to withdraw or deny recognition. If the Commission denies or withdraws recognition, the Commission will send notice of its decision in a written transmittal to the provider no later than fourteen (14) days following the Commission meeting. The transmittal will be sent by tracked electronic communication.

Continuing Education Requirements: Specific Examples

Continuing education requirements can vary significantly depending on the state and the specific license held (e.g., dentist, registered dental hygienist, registered dental assistant). Here are some examples of requirements in different states:

California

In California, all holders of licenses granted by the Board are required to continue their education after receiving a license, pursuant to California Code of Regulations, title 16 (16 CCR), section 1015. With the exception of courses in Basic Life Support (BLS) and mandatory courses, CE courses must be taken from a CE Registered Provider licensed by the Board, or a provider approved by the American Dental Association's Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the Academy of General Dentistry's Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE).

Mandatory Courses in California

A two-unit, Board-approved Infection Control course.
A two-unit, Board-approved course on the California Dental Practice Act.
A maximum of four units of a course in Basic Life Support (BLS). This course must be a BLS course provided by the American Red Cross (ARC) or American Heart Association (AHA), or a BLS course approved by the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), American Dental Association's Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP), or the Academy of General Dentistry's Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE).
A two-unit, Board-approved course on Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs.

No more than 50% of the total required units may be taken as non-live or correspondence courses. Interactive courses may be considered as live courses.

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Out-of-State Courses

To request approval of a CE course presented outside of California by a provider not approved by the Board, PACE, or CERP, submit a completed Application for Continuing Education Approval for Out-of-State Course Offered by an Unregistered California Provider form. Attach to the form a course outline, the course objectives, and a certificate of completion from the provider that includes the length of the course.

Audits and Compliance

The Board conducts random CE audits of active licensees each month. If you are audited and did NOT complete the required number of CE units for your license or permit type within the last two years, an enforcement action may be taken against your license. An enforcement action may include a citation and fine.

Course Restrictions in California

Units from courses that are considered to be of primary benefit to the licensee may not be more than 20% of the total units required for license or permit renewal. Units from courses considered to be of direct benefit to the licensee or outside the scope of dental practice in California cannot be earned.

Earning and Reporting Credits in California

One unit of credit is granted for every hour of contact instruction and may be issued in half-hour increments. Eight units of credit is the maximum allowed to be earned in one day. Retain continuing education certificates for a minimum of three renewal periods. The certificates must be produced when audited by the board.

Michigan

RDAs/RDHs in Michigan are required to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of CE over a three-year period. Up to 10 hours can be obtained FREE by reading articles, magazines, etc., that are related to dentistry. A minimum of 12 hours have to be done in a classroom setting or by watching LIVE webinars.

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Specific Requirements in Michigan

One hour in dental ethics and jurisprudence with inclusion of delegation of duties to allied dental personnel.
One hour in infection control, which must include sterilization of hand pieces, personal protective equipment, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s infection control guidelines.
Three hours of updated implicit bias training, which can be taken in-person or virtually (live or on-demand). This training is in addition to the 60 hours of continuing education credits required for relicensure for dentists and the 36 hours of CE credits for registered dental assistants and registered dental hygienists.
CPR: In addition to the required 36 CE credits, RDAs/RDHs must also carry a current Basic Life Support CPR card at all times.

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs requires a dentist possess current certification in basic or advanced cardiac life support obtained from an agency or organization that grants certification pursuant to standards substantially equivalent to the standards adopted in the Michigan Board of Dentistry Rule R 338.11705(03).

General Guidelines for Continuing Education

Continuing education consists of educational activities that serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships that a dentist uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the profession. The objective is to enhance and update the knowledge base of dentists, strengthen critical thinking skills, and support an evidence-based, ethical practice of dentistry. Continuing education activities that are not directly related to a dentist’s professional work do not fall within the ADA CERP definition of continuing dental education.

Course Content

Units from these types of courses are not restricted:

Preventive services, diagnostic protocols and procedures, comprehensive treatment planning, charting of the oral conditions, informed consent protocols and record-keeping.
Nutrition and nutrition counseling of the patient.
Aesthetic, corrective and restorative oral health diagnosis and treatment.
Dentistry’s role in individual and community health emergencies, disasters and disaster recovery.
Legal requirements governing the licensee in the areas of auxiliary employment and delegation of responsibilities; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); actual delivery of care.
Federal, state and local regulations, guidelines or statutes regarding workplace safety, fire and emergency, environmental safety, waste disposal and management, general office safety, sexual harassment prevention and all training requirements set forth by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-DOSH) including the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
Administration of general anesthesia, conscious sedation, oral conscious sedation or medical emergencies.
Evaluation, selection, use and care of dental instruments, sterilization equipment, operatory equipment and personal protective attire.
Dependency issues and substance abuse such as alcohol and drug use as it relates to patient safety, professional misconduct, ethical considerations or malpractice.
Behavioral sciences, behavior guidance and patient management in the delivery of care to all populations including special needs, pediatric and sedation patients when oriented specifically to the clinical care of the patient.
Selection, incorporation and use of current and emerging technologies.
Cultural competencies such as bilingual dental terminology, cross-cultural communication, provision of public health dentistry and the dental professional’s role in the provision of care in nontraditional settings when oriented specifically to the needs of the dental patient and will serve to enhance the patient experience.
Dentistry’s role in individual and community health programs.
Legal and ethical aspects of the insurance industry, including management of third-party payer issues, dental billing practices, patient and provider appeals of payment disputes and patient management of billing matters.

Record Keeping

Retain continuing education certificates for a minimum of three renewal periods. The certificates must be produced when audited by the board. Do not submit certificates at the time of license or permit renewal unless required.

Key Considerations for Dental Professionals

Verify Provider Approval: Ensure that CE courses are provided by an entity approved as a continuing education provider by the dental board, American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP), or Academy of General Dentistry Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE).
Understand Course Focus: Confirm that the course is primarily focused on the delivery of dental services to the patient or community or on practice management with some benefit to the patient.
Stay Updated on Requirements: Regularly check the specific continuing education requirements for your state and license type, as these can change.
Substantive Changes: All recognized providers are expected to report substantive changes in writing to the Commission within 30 days of the change. If a provider is uncertain whether a change is substantive, the provider should contact CCEPR staff for clarification and guidance.

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