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New C.E. regulations effective Jan. 1, 2006
Changes to the California Code of Regulations were approved this month and, beginning Jan. 1, 2006, continuing education reqirements for dental professionals will be slightly different.
The main change is that the currently required california law course will be replaced by a course on the California Practice Act. The required two hours will not be changed, and the course content for California Dental Practice Act is defined in the new regulations. Two units of infection control will continue to be reqired, as well as a course in basic life support approved by the american Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
The new regulations specify: "Any continuing education units accumulated before Jan. 1, 2006, that meet the requirements in effect on the date the units were accumulated, will be accepted by the board for license renewals taking place on or after Jan. 1, 2006.
"In this way, the board hopes to make the changes with as little disruption as possible as it moves toward its goal of allowing greater opportunity to licensees to take courses that improve the delivery of quality care to California dental consumers."
Regarding the new Dental Practice Act required course, the regulations state: "At a minimum, course content shall instruct on acts in violation of the Dental Practice Act and attending regulations, and other statutory mandates relating to the dental practice. This includes utilization and scope of practice for auxillaries."
Here is a basic rundown of the essential changes to the California Code of Regulations that will affect continuing education requirements for dental professionals beginning Jan. 1, 2006:
* The California Law required course is being replaced by a course on the California Dental Practice Act. The Dental Board states that il will accept California Law courses taken before Jan. 1, 2006.
* Dentists and dental auxillaries will be required to complete a minimum of 80 percent of required units for license renewal in Category I subjects, including two units of infection control and two units on the California Dental Practice Act, and no more than 20 percent of required units in Category II subjects.
* Category I subjects include clinical and scientific topics as well as courses mandated by the Dental Board, the state of California, or the federal government. Category II subjects will allow, although minimally, the opportunity to obtain C.E. units for subjects related to dentistry as well as the dental team.
* Beginning Jan. 1, 2006, all approved C.E. providers are required to submit course outlines for infection control and California Dental Practice Act to the Dental Board for review and approval.
For more information or to view the changes to the California Code of Regulations visit www.dbc.ca.gov - on the left side of home page for the Dental California click the link to "Statutes & regulation," then scroll down to "Approved Regulations: to find " Continuing Education sections 1016 and 1017.
by Debra Belt CDA Udate November 2005
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