Dental CE Requirements for Montana Dental Professionals

Stay informed about Montana's dental continuing education requirements for dentists, hygienists, and assistants, including both fundamental and distinctive elements:

Detailed CE Requirements for Montana Dentists

• Renewal Cycle: Biennial (every 2 years)
• Required Hours: 40 hours
• CPR Certification: Required, must be continuously maintained
• Minimum Classroom Hours: No specific requirement
• Specific Required Topics:
  • 2 hours in CPR
  • 3 hours in ethics or jurisprudence
  • Remaining hours can be in diverse approved topics

Unique Details:

• Opioid Management Training:
  • One-time requirement for all dentists, regardless of prescribing habits
  • Board provides resources and links to approved courses
  • Exemption possible for those who complete Board-approved online training
  • DEA Registrants: 8-hour one-time training covering treatment & management of patients with opioid use disorders or safe pharmacological management of dental pain & screening/brief intervention/referral to treatment, starting with renewals and initial registrations on June 27, 2023
• Volunteer Dental Services: Up to 10% of CE hours can be earned through volunteer work (1 hour credit for each verified hour of service)
• Board-Approved Courses: Wide selection available, including online options with specific interaction and assessment criteria

Detailed CE Requirements for Montana Dental Hygienists

• Renewal Cycle: Biennial (every 2 years)
• Required Hours: 20 hours
• CPR Certification: Required, must be continuously maintained
• Minimum Classroom Hours: No specific requirement
• Specific Required Topics:
  • 2 hours in CPR
  • Remaining hours can be in diverse approved topics

Unique Details:

• No Mandatory Topics: Flexibility in choosing CE courses
• Board Resources: Website offers CE listings, FAQs, and other helpful information

Detailed CE Requirements for Montana Dental Assistants

• Renewal Cycle: Varies depending on category (Registered – 2 years, Certified – 5 years)
• Required Hours:
  • Registered Dental Assistants: 10 hours per renewal cycle
  • Certified Dental Assistants: 20 hours per renewal cycle
• CPR Certification: Required, must be continuously maintained
• Minimum Classroom Hours: No specific requirement
• Specific Required Topics: None

Unique Details:

• Expanded Function Dental Assistants: Have additional requirements specific to their practice scope
• No CE Requirements for Other Dental Assistants: Categories like Office Assistants are exempt

Additional Notes:

• All licensees must report CE completion through the Board's online system
• CE courses must be approved by the Board or meet specific criteria
• Documentation of CE completion must be retained for 4 years
• Board conducts audits to ensure compliance with CE requirements