Dental CE Requirements for California Dental Professionals
Table of Contents
- California Dental Continuing Education (CE) Overview
- Specific CE Requirements
- Permissible Methods for Completing CE
- Additional Information and Resources
- Dentists' CE Requirements
- Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) CE Requirements
- Registered Dental Hygienists (RDHs) CE Requirements
- Dental Assistants (DAs) CE Requirements
- General Requirements for All Dental Professionals
- Dental Board Updates
California Dental Continuing Education (CE) Requirements
Specific CE Requirements
- 2 hours of CE in infection control every two years
- 2 hours of CE in the California Dental Practice Act every two years
- A maximum of 4 CEUs of a course in Basic Life Support (BLS) every two years
Permissible Methods for Completing CE
- Live courses and seminars
- Online Dental CE courses
- Reading dental journals and publications
- Self-study programs
Additional Information and Resources
- At least half of the CE credits must be from AGD, ADA, or ADEA approved courses.
- Visit the DBC website for a list of approved CE providers.
- Use the DBC's CE tracking tool for managing completed credits.
- Keep a record of CE certificates for at least three years.
Dentists
- Units Required: 50 units every two years.
- Mandatory Courses:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – Up to 4 units can be applied towards the total requirement.
- Additional Requirements for Permit Holders:
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Permit: 50 units
- General Anesthesia Permit: 24 units, including specific courses in general anesthesia and advanced cardiac life support.
- Moderate Sedation Permit: 15 units, including specific courses in moderate sedation and medical emergencies.
- Oral Conscious Sedation Permit: 7 units.
Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs)
- Units Required: 25 units every two years.
- Mandatory Courses:
- Infection Control – 2 units
- California Dental Practice Act – 2 units
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – Up to 4 units can be applied towards the total requirement.
Registered Dental Hygienists (RDHs)
- Units Required: 25 units every two years.
- Mandatory Courses:
- Infection Control – 2 units
- California Dental Practice Act – 2 units
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – Up to 4 units can be applied towards the total requirement.
Dental Assistants (DAs)
- Units Required: 25 units every two years.
- Mandatory Courses:
- Infection Control – 2 units
- California Dental Practice Act – 2 units
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – Up to 4 units can be applied towards the total requirement.
General Requirements for All Dental Professionals
- Course Providers: Courses must be taken from a registered provider approved by the Dental Board of California or a provider approved by the ADA CERP or AGD PACE programs.
- Live vs. Non-Live Courses: No more than 50% of the required units can be from non-live or correspondence courses (e.g., recorded videos, home study). Interactive webinars are considered live courses.
- Record Keeping: Maintain certificates of completion for three renewal periods.
- Audits: The Board conducts random CE audits.
Major Changes to Dental Assisting Program Requirements (Effective January 1, 2025)
Attention: Dental Assisting Educational Program and Course Providers
Significant updates to the requirements for dental assisting programs and courses will take effect on January 1, 2025, as mandated by the Dental Board of California under SB 1453 (Ashby, Chapter 483, Statutes of 2024). These changes include stricter infection control standards, updated certificate requirements, revised radiation safety curriculum, and more. Below is a detailed summary to help you prepare for compliance.
Stricter Infection Control Course Requirements
All dental assistants must complete a Board-approved 8-hour infection control course before performing any basic supportive dental procedures that involve potential exposure to blood, saliva, or other infectious materials.
New Certificate of Completion Requirements
Starting January 1, 2025, certificates of completion must include the following details:
- Participant’s name
- Name of the completed course or program
- Course or program provider’s name
- Board-issued approval number
- Date or date range of course completion
- Total hours of the course or program
- Signature of the provider, director, administrator, or designee
Certificates that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted as proof of course completion.
Revised Radiation Safety Course Requirements
- Use of analog film is no longer required.
- Curriculum requirements have been updated to reflect modern practices.
- Laboratory and clinical experience requirements have been modified.
- Students must complete an 8-hour infection control course and possess valid BLS certification before performing procedures on patients.
- Course providers are no longer required to submit lists of students who completed the course to the Board.
Updated Enrollment Prerequisites
- Coronal Polishing Course: Students must complete a Board-approved 8-hour infection control course and hold valid BLS certification.
- Orthodontic Assistant Course: Work experience is no longer required to enroll or apply for a permit.
Penalties for Misrepresentation of Board Approval
Programs or courses that falsely claim Board approval may now face citations and fines from the Dental Board of California.
Notification of Major Changes
Any major changes to program or course content, physical facilities, or faculty must be reported to the Board within 10 days. (California Code of Regulations, tit. 16, § 1070, subs. (b)(2).)
For questions or further assistance, contact the Board’s License and Program Compliance Unit at LPCU.DBC@dca.ca.gov.
