Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 216 - Department of health › Chapter 40 - Professional licensing and facility regulation › Subchapter 05 - Professional Licensing › Part 2 - Dentists, Dental Hygienists, and Dental Assistants › Section 216-RICR-40-05-2.6 - Continuing Education-Dentists

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Continuing
				  education for dentists requires those professionals to maintain a systematic
				  course of continual learning as a condition to maintain their professional
				  license. In addition, continuing education is an effective way for dental
				  professionals to sustain knowledge of current and evolving tools, techniques,
				  technology, innovative medications and in-depth information on emerging topics
				  that will enhance their professional skills and abilities.
B. Pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen.
				  Laws §
										5-31.1-7,
				  all dentists licensed to practice in Rhode Island under the provisions of the
				  Act and this Part, on or before the first (1st) day of May of each
				  even-numbered year shall maintain evidence that in the preceding two (2) years
				  he or she has satisfactorily completed at least forty (40) hours of continuing
				  dental education courses, according to the criteria established by the Rhode
				  Island Dental Association and approved by the Board. Continuing education
				  requirements cited in this Part shall be prorated for a licensee whose license
				  is in effect for a period of less than two (2) years (i.e., an average of
				  twenty (20) hours of continuing education shall be required each year the
				  license is in effect).
C. It shall
				  be the sole responsibility of the individual dentist to obtain documentation
				  from the approved sponsoring or co-sponsoring organization, agency or other, of
				  his or her participation in a learning experience, including the date, and
				  number of hours earned.
D. At the
				  time of license renewal, each licensee shall be required to attest to the fact
				  that he or she has complied with the continuing education requirements
				  established by this Part. Course descriptions, proof of attendance, or other
				  documentation of completion shall be retained by the licensee for a minimum of
				  five (5) years and is subject to random audit by the Board. Failure to produce
				  satisfactory documentation of completion of requirements upon request of the
				  Board may constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
E. All dentists practicing in a dental
				  setting shall receive a minimum of one (1) hour per year of training on the CDC
				  Infection Control Guidelines.
F.
				  All dentists practicing in a dental setting shall hold a current certificate of
				  completion from an approved course in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare
				  Providers that includes a hands-on skill component and conforms to the current
				  American Heart Association Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
				  (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC), and is offered by any accredited
				  agency approved by the Board.
G. If
				  the applicant attests to completion of the prescribed course(s) of continuing
				  dental education as set forth in §
										2.16   of this Part, as
				  approved by the Board, and is in compliance with the provisions of R.I. Gen.
				  Laws §
										5-31.1-7,
				  the Board shall issue the applicant a license registration for a two (2) year
				  period in accordance with the requirements of § 2.6.1 of this
				  Part.
H. Licensure renewal shall be
				  denied to any applicant who fails to attest to the completion of continuing
				  dental education as required by §
										2.6(D)   of
				  this Part.
I. Notwithstanding the
				  provisions of § 2.4.6(A) of this Part, no license to practice dentistry in
				  Rhode Island shall be refused, nor shall any license be suspended or revoked
				  except as:
1. Provided in the Act;
				  and
2. For failure to attest to
				  completion of continuing dental education as required by this Part.