Continuing Your Education

Required Continuing Education30 Hours Every 2 Years

Licensed dental professionals by Utah Code “shall show compliance with continuing education renewal requirements” [58-69-303 (2)]. “During each two-year licensure cycle or other cycle defined by rule, a licensee under this chapter shall complete qualified continuing professional education requirements established by division (DOPL) rule made in collaboration with the board.” [58-69-304]

Utah Department of Professional Licensing (DOPL) rules include: “All licensed dentists and dental hygienists shall complete 30 hours of qualified continuing professional education during each two-year period of licensure, relevant to the licensee’s professional practice, prepared and presented by individuals who are qualified by education, training and experience to provide dental and dental hygiene continuing education, and have a method of verification of attendance and completion.” [DOPL R156-69-304a]

Other noted requirements for CE credit recognition include a minimum of 50-minute blocks of time and being sponsored by DOPL or a professional association such as the ADA, UDA, ADHA, or a peer study club. Maximums of 15 hours can be via Internet or home study, or 3 hours of practice or office management during a two-year licensing period. Certifications such as CPR, BCLS, ACLS, and PALS courses are excluded, however an hour of CE is recognized for every 4 hours providing volunteer service. Licensees are responsible for maintaining competent records of completed qualified CE for 4 years beyond each 2-year licensing period - continuously maintaining a rolling 6-year CE record.

Required clinical and academic CE not only satisfies statutory requirements, but also has the potential to increase clinical

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success and improved patient care. That being said, if one limits their continuous education to only required CE needed for licensure, they will miss out on a huge volume of practical knowledge.

Optional Continuing Education

The extra time during the early months of the pandemic gave me time to increase awareness of dentistry focused webinars, podcasts, electronic newsletters, and social media groups. Daily my inbox seems to have messages about dental topics or learning opportunities. Most aren’t recognized as “qualified” CE, but they may help your dental team succeed or your worklife balance.

My experience is that some of these are “sponsored” by manufacturers, trade associations, software vendors, and groups with a narrow focus or particular marketing agenda. Most are free or have a reasonable subscription cost. I’ve found that even if the presenter only discusses the materials, software, instruments, supplies or treatment protocols of their sponsor – the general principles taught can be utilized with the brands or systems I already own or use. Here’s a list of some I feel have added to the success of our practice. Some are more clinical and some more directed to practice management including spouses active in a dental practice. These are my personal recommendations and should not be considered to be endorsed by the UDA or any other professional organization.

Podcasts

Dental Digest podcast w/ Dr Melissa Seibert - Evidence-based exploration of clinical topics (digitaldigestinstitute.com)

Dentistry Uncensored w/ Howard Farran - Interviews with leaders in dentistry.

Dentalpreneur podcast w/ Mark Costes - Maximizing access to advanced clinical and practice management education.

The FFS Dentist podcast w/ Drew Byrnes - Dentists and dental professionals share best ideas to grow high quality practices.

Facebook and Instagram Groups

Dental Clinical Pearls - Focused on quality dentistry, where dentists and residents can discuss and share their cases.

Dental Nachos - Its mission is to increase the success and happiness of dentists across every stage of their careers.

LDS Dental Wives – Invitation only FB group includes spouses of dental students, residents, dentists, and retired dentists.

AADOM Dental Spouse Business Network – Invitation only FB group of business and life partners who share, advise and support their partner’s practice success. Dental Management Excellence Community by AADOM - A private networking group for members of the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM).

Nate Lawson – Instagram page, Director of the Division of Biomaterials at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Dentistry.

Newsletters and Online Dental Groups

Clinician’s Report - Non-profit, educational research institute to identify the products, techniques, and equipment for delivery of oral care through laboratory and clinical research. (Cliniciansreport.org).

DentalTown.com - Free forum to discuss cases, practice management tips with over 250,000 registered members, and participate in online continuing education.

DrBicuspid.com - A comprehensive community for dental professionals covering dentistry news, research, and clinical procedures.

ADA Morning Huddle - A digest of important news affecting dentist and dentistry selected from thousands of sources. Sign up at ada_morninghuddle@smartbrief.com.

These are just a few of the internet resources available. Consider sharing your favorite by posting it to the Utah Dental Association Facebook or Instagram page. Make sure you get at least the 30 hours of qualified continuing education and keep a permanent record in the event of a DOPL CE audit……… And continue your education by exploring quality online sources of learning.

Dr Scott Theurer ADA Delegate