Ways to submit your CE documentation to the Board

There are two (2) ways in which you can submit your CE documentation.  Please remember to include your full name, license number, phone number and e-mail address in any correspondence with the Board.  Any of the following methods are acceptable for submission:

• E-mail – Education@den.ohio.gov
  • You may scan your CE audit letter along with your CE documentation and submit it via e-mail to Education@den.ohio.gov.   We will accept scanned copies in PDF, JPEG, TIFF or Word format only.
  • Please make sure that the Subject Line states: CE Audit: [Your Name and License #]

• Mail – Ohio State Dental Board s 77 S. High St., 17^th Floor s Columbus, OH 43215-6135
  • Submit a copy of your CE Audit notification along with copies of your CE documentation to this address via U.S.Mail

What is required for acceptable documentation of CE

The Board accepts CE certificates, letters of completion, transcripts, and organization printouts from sponsors of CE so long as they contain the following information:

• Name of licensee
• Name(s) of the sponsor and instructor(s) of the course
• Course title
• Date of the CE activity
• Number of acceptable CE hours (no less than half hour increments)

Recent Graduates

Licensees who attended or graduated from an ADA-accredited dental school, residency program or dental hygiene program during the 2018-2019 biennium were exempt from the CE requirement for the renewal. However, you must submit documentation from the school or program indicating that you were a student during that time.

How to determine if the CE experience is acceptable

The Board accepts documentation from approved or accepted providers of CE.  Approved or accepted sponsors are the following:

Board-approved Permanent Sponsors:

• “American Dental Association,” and constituent and component dental associations and societies affiliated with the “American Dental Association.”
• “National Dental Association,” and constituent and component dental associations and societies affiliated with the “National Dental Association.”
• “American Dental Hygienists Association,” and its recognized constituents, components and affiliated societies.
• “National Dental Hygienists’ Association” and constituent and component dental hygienists’ associations and societies affiliated with the “National Dental Hygienists’ Association.”
• National, state, district or local dental specialty organizations affiliated with the “American Dental Association.”
• Academy of General Dentistry” and its constituent and component organizations.
• Colleges and universities with accredited schools of dentistry or dental hygiene and community colleges with approved dental hygiene programs, when the continuing professional education program is held under the auspices of the school of dentistry or dental hygiene, or the dental hygiene program.
• Colleges and universities accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the United States office of education. Hospitals accredited by the “Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).”
• Other organizations, schools or other dental-related organizations that by board action are listed as permanent sponsors.

Board-approved Biennial Sponsors:

A listing of Board-approved Biennial Sponsors for 2018-2019 is available on the Board’s website at

www.dental.ohio.gov under the “Education and Renewal” Tab.

ADA CERP

A listing of American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) sponsors is available at https://www.ada.org/en/ccepr/view-ce-providers

AGD PACE

A listing of Academy of General Dentistry Program Approval for Continuing Education sponsors is available at https://www.agd.org/2/education/pace/findaprovider/default.asp

The Board accepts CE from any of the approved or accepted sponsors listed so long as the content complies with the guidelines set forth in Ohio Administrative Code rule 4715-8-01 which states:

Acceptable continuing education for all Ohio licensees is defined as educational and scientific courses given by board-approved sponsors consisting of activities designed to review existing concepts and techniques, to convey information beyond the basic dental education and to update knowledge on advances in scientific, non-clinical and clinical practice related subject matter, including ethics, regulatory compliance, risk management, nutrition, and evidence-based dentistry wherein the objective is to improve the knowledge, skills and ability of the individual to provide the highest quality of service to the public and the profession.

Categories of credit - To fulfill the minimum requirements set forth in sections 4715.141 and 4715.25 of the Revised Code, the licensee is free to select areas of study within the stated categories, not to exceed the maximum number of hours in each category.

1. "Directly interactive presentation format" means a presentation format in which each participant is able to provide direct feedback and have interaction with the instructor through a question and answer format in real time.
2. "Supervised self-instruction" means the coursework is provided in a self-instruction format which must include a testing mechanism supplied by a board-approved sponsor. The licensee must complete a test with a passing score of not less than seventy-five percent and demonstrate a level of comprehension before credit is awarded. Tests must be graded by the sponsor and results returned to the licensee. Supervised self-instruction includes, but is not limited to:
   1. Graded audio/video courses.
   2. Graded correspondence courses.
   3. Graded internet computer courses.
3. "Non-clinical dental practice related continuing education" means continuing education experiences which may include, but is not limited to, those courses which aid in the management of a dental practice or clinic, including those courses pertaining to the management of third party payer issues, dental billing practices, patient and provider appeals of payment disputes and patient management of billing matters; courses to improve recall and scheduling systems, production flow, communication systems and data management; courses in organization and management of the dental practice including office computerization and design, ergonomics, and the improvement of practice administration and office operations; courses in leadership development and team development; and, courses in human resource management and employee benefits. A maximum of six continuing education hours may be obtained in this category. *Recent legislation now allows you to obtain up to 1/3 of your CE hours through volunteer service at a ratio of 1 CEU for each hour of volunteer clinical service you provide. Therefore, you may claim up to eight (8) hours of volunteer CE.
4. "Papers, publications and scientific presentations" means scientific papers authored by the licensee and published in a scientific professional journal, and/or the original presentation of papers, essays, scientific exhibits or formal lectures to recognized groups of fellow professionals. A maximum of four continuing education hours may be obtained in this category.
5. "Teaching and research appointments" means documented teaching or research activities at an accredited institution, at least one-half day per week per academic year, and holding at least a part-time faculty or research appointment as evidenced by a signed, dated letter of appointment from the chair or director of the accredited institution. A maximum of four continuing education hours may be obtained in this category.
6. "Volunteer service as a clinician" means continuing education credit may be awarded at a ratio of one continuing education credit for each four hours of volunteer clinical services provided through an approved program. An approved program is one sponsored by a permanent sponsor as defined in paragraph (A) of rule 4715-8-02 of the Administrative Code, that allows licensees to provide substantial pro bono dental and dental hygiene services to indigent and underserved populations, or to persons who reside in areas of critical need in the state of Ohio. No remuneration shall be made to the licensee or the program sponsor for services provided under this section. A maximum of four continuing education hours may be obtained in this category.
7. "Table clinics" means the original presentation of or documented viewing of a table clinic at a professional meeting. A maximum of two continuing education hours may be obtained in this category.

CPR Certification

Submit a copy of the front and back of your CPR certification from the American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) from the time of renewal.  If you are claiming the CPR course as part of your continuing education renewal requirement you must provide documentation from the instructor indicating your name, name of the sponsor (AHA, ARC or ASHI), name of the instructor, course title, date of the course, and the number of hours of contact (CE Hours) in order for the hours to be accepted as credit.

(A)  Except as provided in paragraph (B)(3) of this rule, acceptable continuing education for all Ohio licensees is defined as educational and scientific courses given by board-approved or board accepted sponsors. Continuing education experiences to fulfill renewal requirements for board licensure, registration and/or certification may be obtained in the following formats, including but not limited to:

(1) "Directly interactive presentation format" means a presentation format in which each participant is able to provide direct feedback and have interaction with the instructor through a question and answer format in real time.

(2) "Supervised self-instruction" means the coursework is provided in a self-instruction format which must include a testing mechanism supplied by a board-approved sponsor. The licensee must complete a test with a passing score of not less than seventy-five per cent and demonstrate a level of comprehension before credit is awarded. Tests must be graded by the sponsor and results returned to the licensee. Supervised self-instruction includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Graded audio/video courses.

(b) Graded correspondence courses.

(c) Graded internet, online, or webinar computer courses.

(B)  Categories of credit - With the exception of the requirement in paragraph (B)(2) of this rule, to fulfill the minimum requirements set forth in sections 4715.141 and 4715.25 of the Revised Code, the licensee must select areas of study within the stated categories. Licensees shall not receive credit for hours that exceed the maximum number set forth in the following categories:

(1) Dental education and scientific courses - activities designed to review existing concepts and techniques, to convey information beyond the basic dental education and to update knowledge on advances in scientific, non-clinical and clinical practice related subject matter, including ethics, regulatory compliance, risk management, nutrition, and evidence-based dentistry wherein the objective is to improve the knowledge, skills and ability of the individual to provide the highest quality of service to the public and the profession. No maximum number of hours exist for this category.

(2) Mandatory opioid prescribing education - continuing education experiences pertaining to the prescribing of opioids for acute, subacute and chronic pain. The licensee must obtain a minimum of two hours of continuing education in this category. No maximum number of hours exist for this category.

(a) Course content may include, but is not limited to the following:

(i) The prescribing guidelines set forth in board rules 4715-6-02 and 4715-6-03 of the Administrative Code.

(ii) Patient history and clinical assessments.

(iii) Consideration of treatment options to include:

(a) Non-pharmacologic therapy;

(b) Non-opioid pharmacologic therapy; and

(c) Opioid therapy.

(iv) Treatment goals.

(v) Risks and benefits of opioid therapy.

(vi) Pain management.

(vii) Addiction treatment.

(viii) Prescribing methodology.

(ix) Medication-assisted treatment for addiction.

(b) Sunset clause - The requirement that a licensee obtain a minimum of two hours of opioid prescribing education shall cease to exist for the biennium beginning January 1, 2024.

(3) Non-clinical dental practice related continuing education - Continuing education experiences which may include, but is not limited to, those courses which aid in the management of a dental practice or clinic, including those courses pertaining to the management of third party payer issues, dental billing practices, patient and provider appeals of payment disputes and patient management of billing matters; courses to improve recall and scheduling systems, production flow, communication systems and data management; courses in organization and management of the dental practice including office computerization and design, ergonomics, and the improvement of practice administration and office operations; courses in leadership development and team development; and, courses in human resource management and employee benefits. The licensee may obtain a maximum of six hours of continuing education in this category.

(C) Papers, publications and scientific presentations - Scientific papers authored by the licensee and published in a scientific professional journal, and/ or the original presentation of papers, essays, scientific exhibits or formal lectures to recognized groups of fellow professionals. The licensee may obtain a maximum of four hours of continuing education in this category.

(D) Teaching and research appointments- Documented teaching or research activities at an accredited institution, at least one-half day per week per academic year, and holding at least a part-time faculty or research appointment as evidenced by a signed, dated letter of appointment from the chair or director of the accredited institution. The licensee may obtain a maximum of four hours of continuing education in this category.

(E) Volunteer service as a clinician- documented substantial pro bono dental and dental hygiene services to indigent and underserved populations, or to persons who reside in areas of critical need in the state of Ohio. No remuneration shall be made to the licensee or the program sponsor for services provided under this rule. The licensee may obtain up to one-third of their continuing education requirement in this category.

(F) Table clinics- original presentation of or documented viewing of a table clinic at a professional meeting. The licensee may obtain a maximum of two hours of continuing education in this category.

OHIO STATE DENTAL BOARD
Continuing Education Information- PDF

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 4715.141, 4715.25, and 4715.53 licensed dentists (40 hours), dental hygienists (24 hours), and dental assistant radiographers (2 hours) are required to obtain continuing education (CE) in order to renew their Ohio licenses. Currently, dentists and dental hygienists must complete CE that reflects appropriate didactic and clinical training for subject matter as defined by the American Dental Association's (ADA) definition of dentistry, which states in pertinent part:

”Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or relate procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body…"

Therefore, course content must comply with the guidelines set forth in Ohio Revised Code Section 4715.141(A)(1) to (A)(7).  Those guidelines are as follows:

   (1) Competency in treating patients who are medically compromised or who experience medical emergencies during the course of dental treatment;
   (2) Knowledge of pharmaceutical products and the protocol of the proper use of medications;
   (3) Competence to diagnose oral pathology; 
   (4) Awareness of currently accepted methods of infection control; 
   (5) Basic medical and scientific subjects including, but not limited to, biology, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, and  pharmacology; 
   (6) Clinical and technological subjects including, but not limited to, clinical techniques and procedures, materials, and equipment; 
   (7) Subjects pertinent to health and safety. 

Examples of course content which will not be considered acceptable for CE credit are; money management, personal finance or business, basic educational or cultural subjects not related to direct patient care, teaching of the use of the Internet, general physical fitness or personal health issues, presentations by political or public figures, motivational courses, or alternative medicine/theory which has no scientific basis, etc.

The Board has determined that the intent of dental and dental hygiene CE is to improve the clinical application of dentistry and dental hygiene to the citizens of the state of Ohio.  Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code Section 4715-8-01: 

“Acceptable continuing education for all Ohio licensees is defined as educational and scientific courses given by board-approved sponsors consisting of activities designed to review existing concepts and techniques, to convey information beyond the basic dental education and to update knowledge on advances in scientific, non-clinical and clinical practice related subject matter, including ethics, regulatory compliance, risk management, nutrition, and  evidence-based dentistry wherein the objective is to improve the knowledge, skills and ability of the individual to provide the highest quality of service to the public and the profession.”

Additionally, dentists and dental hygienists who take the same exact course more than once during a biennium will only be permitted to claim the total CE hours for the first completion of the course. 

CE must be taken from a Board-approved or Board-accepted sponsor.  There are two (2) types of Board-approved CE providers; Permanent and Biennial Sponsors.  CE courses from the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) and Academy of General Dentistry Program Approval for Continuing Education (AGD PACE) providers offering CE is Board-accepted so long as the providers remain in good standing, are in compliance with relevant recognition standards, and the guidelines set forth in Ohio's Dental Practice Act (Chapter 4715. of Ohio Revised and Administrative Codes).  Listings of approved ADA CERP and AGD PACE  providers are available on-line at www.ada.org or www.agd.org.

100% of your CE may be taken in either directly interactive presentation or supervised self-instruction formats.   

CE may be taken in ANY of the following categories of credit NOT to exceed the maximum number of hours indicated.

2020-2021 Biennium 

1. Dental education and scientific courses - No maximum
2. Opioid prescribing education - 2.0 hours minimum, No maximum (This requirement is mandatory beginning with the 2020-2021 biennium and required for the 2022-2023 biennium)
3. Non-clinical dental practice related - 6.0 Hours Maximum 
4. Papers, publications & scientific presentations - 4.0 Hours Maximum
5. Teaching & research appointments - 4.0 Hours Maximum 
6. Volunteer service as a clinician (Ohio only) - Up to 1/3 of the CE requirement; 13.0 hours maximum for dentists; 8.0 hours maximum for dental hygienists
7. Table clinics 2.0 Hours Maximum

The Board may excuse licensed dentists and/or licensed dental hygienists, as a group or as individuals, from all or any part of the continuing education requirements because of an unusual circumstance, emergency, or special hardship.

Exemptions

• Recent Graduates - Licensees who have completed their initial dental doctoral education or dental hygiene undergraduate education within their first registration;     

• Dental and Dental Hygiene Students - Licensees who are enrolled as students in a full-time dental or dental hygiene program in an accredtied educational institution. 

Extensions

• Military Personnel - Service members, veterans, or spouses of service members or veterans pursuant to Board rule 4715-14-03;

• Health - Documented illness or condition that prevents licensees from obtaining continuing education requirements.  Length of extension granted shall not exceed one year;

• Other - Documented loss of records due to emergency or natural disasters. 

Waivers

• Waivers may be granted to dental and dental hygiene licensees who are unable to complete the required continuing education hours for the biennium due to definitive reasons which preclude the licensee from active practice.

All licensee requests for extensions or waivers due to unusual circumstance, emergency, or special hardship may apply to the Board by submitting a Request for Continuing Education Extension/Waiver form to the Board executive office prior to renewal of the license.  The form must be received with all supporting documentation in order to be considered by the Board’s Education Committee and Supervisory Investigative Panel at a regularly scheduled Board meeting.

Continuing Education Log  - Dental Hygienist

CE Waiver/ Extension Request

4715.25 CONTINUING EDUCATION.
(A) Every person licensed to practice as a dental hygienist and required to register with the state dental board shall certify to the board at the time of applying for a renewal of registration that in the two-year period preceding the registration period for which renewal is sought the registrant completed a minimum of twenty-four hours of continuing dental hygiene education. Certification shall be made upon the application for registration prescribed by the board pursuant to section 4715.24 of the Revised Code.

(B) (1) The board shall apply toward the satisfaction of a registrant’s continuing dental hygiene education requirement any of
the following courses that the registrant completed:
(a) The basic life-support training course required by section 4715.251 of the Revised Code;
(b) Any course required by statute or rule of the board for registration;
(c) Any course required by statute or rule of the board as a condition of performing a particular function;
(d) Any other course that the board determines acceptable.
(2) In the case of a registrant whose license was reinstated under section 4715.242 of the Revised Code, the board shall apply toward the satisfaction of the registrant’s continuing dental hygiene education requirement any course that the board applied toward the continuing dental hygiene education requirement for reinstatement of the license if the course was completed during the two-year period immediately preceding the registration period for which renewal is sought.

(C) Continuing education programs may be developed and offered to dental hygienists by any of the following agencies or organizations:
(1) National, state, district, or local dental hygienists’ associations affiliated with the American dental hygienists’ association;
(2) National, state, district, or local dental associations affiliated with the American dental association or national dental association;
(3) Accredited dental hygiene colleges or schools;
(4) Accredited dental colleges or schools;
(5) Other organizations, schools, paraprofessional programs, or agencies approved by the state dental board.
(D) A licensed dental hygienist shall retain in the dental hygienist’s records for a period of at least four years such receipts, vouchers, or certificates as may be necessary to document completion of continuing education programs. With cause, the board may request such documentation from licensed dental hygienists, and the board may request such documentation from licensed dental hygienists at random without cause.

(E) The board may excuse licensed dental hygienists, as a group or as individuals, from all or any part of the requirements of this section because of an unusual circumstance, emergency, or special hardship.

(F) Failure to comply with the requirements of this section constitutes a failure to renew registration pursuant to section 4715.24 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 01-01-1992; 8/31/2010

NO CONTINUING EDUCATION IS REQUIRED
 
4715.63 EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL OF EXPANDED FUNCTION DENTAL AUXILIARY REGISTRATION.

(A) Registration under section 4715.62 of the Revised Code expires on the thirty-first day of December of the year following the year in which the registration occurs. An individual may renew a registration for subsequent two-year periods by submitting both of the following to the secretary of the state dental board each time the individual seeks to renew a registration:
(1) A completed application for renewal, under oath, on a form the board shall prescribe and provide;
(2) A renewal fee of twenty dollars.
(B) If an individual complies with division (A) of this section and is not in violation of any section of this chapter or rule adopted under it, the board shall renew the individual’s registration for a two-year period that expires on the thirty-first day of December of the year following the year in which the registration was renewed.
(C) Registration renewals shall be made in accordance with the standard renewal procedure established under Chapter 4745 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 05-12-2006

CE Extension/Waiver Request

4715-12-03 CERTIFICATE RENEWAL.
(A) Each person who is certified as a dental assistant radiographer shall on or before the first day of January of each odd-numbered year, register with the state dental board. The registration shall be made on a form prescribed by the board, and shall include the certificate holder's name, address, certificate number, proof of having completed at least two hours of continuing education in radiation technology from a board-approved biennial or permanent sponsor during the two-year period immediately preceding renewal, and such other reasonable information as the board may consider necessary, and shall include payment of a biennial registration fee of twenty-five dollars. This certificate shall be in effect for the two-year period beginning on the first day of January of the odd-numbered year, and ending on the last day of December of the following even-numbered year, and shall automatically expire if not renewed.

(B) Any dental assistant radiographer whose certificate has expired under this section must immediately cease taking x-rays until said certificate has been renewed.

Effective: 05/05/2014
Prior Effective Dates: 3-3-95, 4-4-02, 10-9-06

CE Waiver Request Form- PDF

Cultural Competency Education Opportunities 

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