Dentists are often required to take continuing education in dentistry courses. It can depend on the region or country where the dentist is licensed to practice. Usually it is necessary to take a specified number of classes prior to renewing the license. The number of courses or hours of study required will vary depending on where the dentist practices. But where continuing education is required, licensees are likely to find many course to choose from.
Requirements are also placed on the course providers in many jurisdictions. The licensing authority which stipulates that a dentist must take courses also has responsibility to approve courses and the instructors. Course providers often must demonstrate proficiency by submitting to the licensing authority the course outline, content, and objectives; proof of the instructor’s qualifications, a description of the teaching methodology, and verification of attendance.
Prior to becoming licensed in most places, dentists must obtain extensive training through years of post graduate study specific to the practice of dentistry. Similarly, continuing education classes are designed to ensure that practitioners maintain their competency and are current in their abilities with the most up-to-date information. It is generally agreed that courses which must be taken prior to renewal are basic life support, practice laws and regulations specific to the region, and infection control.
In addition to the basic course requirements, other allowable courses are usually categorized into those that pertain to the provision of dental services and those that are more geared toward the professional development of the dentist. Professional development courses, which are typically limited in the number allowed toward meeting the requirement for licensure renewal, often include topics such as team development and leadership skills, curriculum and teaching methods, business management and organization, and human resources.
Courses that pertain to the actual delivery of dental services might focus primarily on topics such as preventive services, diagnostic protocols and procedures, and comprehensive treatment planning; patient nutrition; the role of dentistry in community health emergencies, disasters, and disaster recovery; and the selection, incorporation, and use of new technologies in dentistry.
Courses that will usually apply toward credit in the category of dental services often cover topics such as drug and alcohol abuse and its effects on a provider’s practice; billing issues and how to work with insurance companies; patient privacy laws; and legal authority and restrictions in delegating tasks to employees. Other topics that often will satisfy the education requirement include anesthesia; dental instruments and proper sterilization methods; and cultural competency.
Licensing boards, which typically have authority to authorize whether or not a course is valid for credit to meet the minimum unit requirement, very often have lists of approved courses available for licensees. Rather than spend money on a class that won’t count in the eyes of the licensing board, it’s a good idea to research if completion of the class satisfies the requirement.
It is quite possible to combine work with pleasure when it comes to continuing education in dentistry courses. Instructors have been known to schedule the classes over a few days period, such as a three day weekend. Some courses are offered in lively destinations, so that when the studying is complete it is possible to socialize in a more convention-like atmosphere.
Looking for more information on the requirements for continuing education in Dentistry? Get the low down now in our complete overview of all you need to know about how and where to find the best Dental Continuing Education Seminars .