Dentists and hygienists are required to continue their education in the dental industry. Many states also require dental assistants to have continuing education as well. Continuing education credit hours can be earned through seminars, online classes, programs and conferences.
Dentists continue their education long after leaving dental school. Individuals in the dental industry frequently are given the opportunity for seminars,
programs and classes as part of continuing education efforts. Seminars and programs provide opportunities for dental professionals to learn about the latest innovations and technology from others in the field.
By professionals continuing their education, patients get the best treatment with trained personnel and the professionals learn how to be as efficient as possible, as well as learning tricks of the trade.
Seminars in the dentistry field are offered covering everything from how to have an exceptional practice to how to diagnose and treat bad breath. The American Dental Association provides many continuing education programs and seminars for individuals in the dental field.
Keeping up with continual education is not just a good idea for individuals in the dental field, it is a requirement to keep their license active. All states have continuing education requirements for individuals in the field.
For dentists, Kansas has the most stringent requirements, calling for 60 credit hours of continuing education every two years. For dental hygienists, Arkansas has the most continuing education requirements, calling for 40 credit hours of continuing education every two years.
Most states do not require continuing education credit hours for dental assistants. Several states do however. Those states that do require continuing education credit hours for dental assistants are California, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas. The U.S. province of Puerto Rico also requires continuing education for dental assistants. California and Minnesota require the most continuing education for dental assistants. Both states require 25 credit hours every two years.
Keeping professionals up to the date on the latest technology, treatment options, business practices and developments in the field is an ongoing effort. The American Dental Association and regional and state dental associations, as well as colleges and universities, provide online courses as on option. The online classes allow professionals to take the course anytime and anywhere it works for them 24 hours a day.
Another way dental professional earn continuing education credit is through articles in The Journal of the American Dental Association. Individuals can earn up to two credit hours per month through JADA online programs. Four articles in each JADA issue also have members-only content that earns the participant .5 credit hour for each course content completed.
The American Dental Association's annual conference each fall is another way professionals in the field earn continuing education credit. By attending three days of lectures and programs spanning various dental specialties and issues, participants earn continuing education credit. For individuals unable to attend the conference, programs can be downloaded and viewed for credit.
Many school and organizations also book speakers whose talks warrant continuing education credit that dentists can benefit from.
Keeping up on the latest developments in the field is a requirement that industry professional take very seriously and one that should bring peace of mind to patients, knowing that their dental professionals have their care and best interest at heart.
