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Texas Dental CE Requirements

Last updated: 2025-01-12

Dental CE Requirements for Texas Dental Professionals

Dentists

Total hours required: 24 hours every two years. Online Dental CE is available.

Specific Requirements

  • At least 16 hours must be technical or scientific courses related to clinical care.
  • Up to 8 hours can be in risk management (e.g., ethics, record-keeping, HIPAA).
  • At least 2 hours must be in record-keeping.
  • 4 hours on safe and effective pain management if prescribing opioids.
  • Jurisprudence Assessment required every 4 years.
  • One course on Human Trafficking Prevention approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
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Dental Hygienists

Total hours required: 24 hours every two years.

Specific Requirements

  • No hours in practice finance can count toward the 24-hour requirement.
  • If using lasers: At least 12 hours of in-person CE on laser utilization, including 3 hours of clinical simulation laser training.
  • Jurisprudence Assessment required every 4 years.
  • One course on Human Trafficking Prevention approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Dental Assistants (Registered Dental Assistants – RDAs)

Total hours required: 12 hours every two years.

Specific Requirements

  • Jurisprudence Assessment required every 4 years.
  • One course on Human Trafficking Prevention approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Additional Notes

  • First Renewal: The first renewal after initial licensure may have different requirements.
  • CPR: While not mandated by the state, CPR certification is strongly recommended and may be required by employers.
  • Record Keeping: Maintain CE records for at least 3 years after the renewal date.
  • Approved Providers: CE courses must be from providers approved by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE).

Additional Continuing Education Details

  • Live Interactive Webinars count as in-classroom hours.
  • Random audits are conducted to verify CPR certification and CE hours.
  • All CE hours must be from a board-approved provider (Rule §104.2).

CE Renewal Chart for Dental Assistants

Renewal Timeframe CE Hours Required Scientific/Technical (hands-on) Risk-Management Self-Study Controlled Substance BLS CPR (hands-on) Jurisprudence Assessment
2 years 12 At least 6 No No No Yes No

Texas Dental Schools

Below is a map showing the accredited dental schools in Texas:

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