Dental CE Requirements for Maine Dental Professionals

Table of Contents

• Continuing Education Requirements for Dentists
• Continuing Education Requirements for Dental Hygienists
• Continuing Education Requirements for Dental Assistants (EFDA)
• General CE Requirements and Additional Notes
• Methods for Obtaining CE Credits
• Compliance and Provider Approval
• Tips for Successful CE Completion

Continuing Education Requirements for Dentists

• Renewal Period: Every 2 years (Biennial)
• Credit Hours Required: 40 hours of CE directly related to dental practice
• Opioid Prescribing: At least 3 of the 40 hours must cover prescribing opioid medications.
• Sedation Permit: At least 6 of the 40 hours must be on sedation, anesthesia, physical diagnosis, complications, and techniques.
• CPR Certification: Must maintain a current CPR certification. Only BLS is explicitly accepted in Maine.

Continuing Education Requirements for Dental Hygienists

• Renewal Period: Every 2 years (Biennial)
• Credit Hours Required: 30 hours of CE directly related to dental practice
• CPR Certification: Must maintain a current CPR certification.

Continuing Education Requirements for Dental Assistants (EFDA)

• Renewal Period: Every 5 years
• Credit Hours Required: 50 hours of CE directly related to dental practice
• CPR Certification: Must maintain a current CPR certification (recommended and may be required by employers).

General CE Requirements and Additional Notes

• Opioid Management Training: One-time requirement for all dentists, regardless of prescribing habits.
• CPR Certification: Only BLS is explicitly accepted, making Maine stricter than some states. Specific regulations for online CPR training with hands-on components.
• Sedation Permit Training: Six hours required for sedation permit holders. Topics include sedation, anesthesia, and complications.
• Inactive License Status: CE requirements apply if returning to active status. Time-based tiers for CE hours upon reactivation.
• Pre-approval of CE Activities: Providers can request pre-approval from the board. Activities without pre-approval are not eligible for CE credit.
• First Renewal: Requires only half the usual CE hours. Dentists must complete opioid and sedation training where applicable.

Methods for Obtaining CE Credits

A variety of methods are available to earn CE credits, including individual study and specialized courses. Credits must be from Maine state board-approved providers.

Compliance and Provider Approval

Credits must be relevant to the practice of dentistry and should be from approved providers. Dentists must maintain records of CE completions for three years.

Tips for Successful CE Completion

• Choose individual study materials that are relevant to your practice.
• Ensure compliance with specialized CE requirements such as opioid and sedation training.
• Maintain diligent records of all CE activities for compliance verification.