R156-69-304a. Continuing Education - Dentist and Dental Hygienist

In accordance with Section 58-69-304, qualified continuing professional education requirements are established as the following:

(1) All licensed dentists and dental hygienists shall complete 30 hours of qualified continuing professional education during each two year period of licensure.

(2) Qualified continuing professional education hours for licensees who have not been licensed for the entire two year period will be prorated from the date of licensure.

(3) Continuing education under this section shall:

(a) be relevant to the licensee's professional practice;

(b) be prepared and presented by individuals who are qualified by education, training and experience to provide dental and dental hygiene continuing education; and

(c) have a method of verification of attendance and completion.

(4) Credit for continuing education shall be recognized in accordance with the following:

(a) unlimited hours shall be recognized for continuing education completed in blocks of time of not less than 50 minutes in formally established classroom courses, seminars, lectures, conferences, or training sessions which meet the criteria listed in Subsection (3) above, and which are approved by, conducted by or under sponsorship of:

(i) the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing;

(ii) recognized universities and colleges;

(iii) professional associations, societies and organizations representing a licensed profession whose program objectives relate to the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene; or

(iv) ADA or any subgroup thereof, the ADHA or any subgroup thereof, an accredited dental, dental hygiene or dental postgraduate program, a government agency, a recognized health care professional association or a peer study club;

(b) a maximum of ten hours per two year period may be recognized for teaching continuing education relevant to dentistry and dental hygiene;

(c) a maximum of 15 hours per two year period may be recognized for continuing education that is provided via Internet or through home study which provides an examination and a completion certificate;

(d) a maximum of six hours per two year period may be recognized for continuing education provided by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing; and

(e) qualified continuing professional education may include up to three hours in practice and office management.

(5) If properly documented that a licensee is engaged in full time activities or is subjected to circumstances which prevent that licensee from meeting the continuing education requirements established under this section, the licensee may be excused from the requirement for a period of up to three years. However, it is the responsibility of the licensee to document the reasons and justify why the requirement could not be met.

(6) Hours for recertification in CPR, BCLS, ACLS and PALS do not count as continuing education.

(7) A licensee shall be responsible for maintaining competent records of completed qualified continuing professional education for a period of four years after close of the two year period to which the records pertain. It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain such information with respect to qualified continuing professional education to demonstrate it meets the requirements under this section.