As provided by the Dental Board of CA:

Approval of Consolidated Continuing Education Rulemaking

On September 7, 2022, the Office of Administrative Law approved amendments to California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 16, sections 1016 and 1017 and the adoption of section 1016.2, which will become effective on January 1, 2023. This regulatory action will expand the current continuing education (CE) requirements and includes a new mandatory course for dentist license renewal on the responsibilities and requirements of prescribing Schedule II opioid drugs.

Changes to CE Requirements

As part of the CE coursework required for license renewal, dentists and dental auxiliaries must complete certain mandatory courses. Mandatory courses include Infection Control and California Dental Practice Act courses approved by the Dental Board of California (Board) and Basic Life Support (BLS).

The mandatory requirement for certification in BLS shall be met by completion of an American Red Cross (ARC) or American Heart Association (AHA) BLS course or a BLS course approved by the American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the Academy of General Dentistry’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE). (CCR, tit. 16, § 1016, subs. (b)(1)(C).) In addition, effective January 1, 2023, a BLS course taught by a provider approved by the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) will be accepted to fulfill the mandatory certification in BLS. (CCR, tit. 16, § 1016, subs. (b)(1)(C)(iii).)

Beginning January 1, 2023, the Board will accept for CE compliance courses related to sexual harassment prevention. (CCR, tit. 16, § 1016, subs. (b)(2)(F).)

Certain courses considered to be primarily to the benefit of the licensee are limited to a maximum of 20% of the licensee’s total required course unit credits for each license or permit renewal period. (CCR, tit 16, § 1016, subs. (b)(3).) Beginning January 1, 2023, courses in business planning and operations will be accepted as part of the maximum of 20% licensee’s course units. (CCR, tit. 16, § 1016 (b)(3)(B).)

Courses considered to be of direct benefit to the licensee or outside the scope of dental practice in California shall not be recognized for CE credit. (CCR, tit. 16, § 1016, subs. (b)(4).) Such courses include money management, the licensee’s personal finances or personal matters, such as financial or estate planning, and personal investments. CCR, title 16, section 1016, subsection (b)(4), provides a sample list of courses that shall not be recognized for CE credit.

CE Course Changes Specific to Dentists

Effective January 1, 2023, dentists must complete a Board-approved course on the responsibilities and requirements of prescribing Schedule II opioids. (CCR, tit. 16, § 1016, subs. (b)(1)(D).) At minimum, this course shall include the practices for pain management in dentistry, regulatory requirements for prescribers and dispensers, and dental office procedures for managing vulnerable or substance use disorder patients.

To verify if a Registered Provider has been granted approval to offer the required course on the responsibilities and requirements of prescribing Schedule II opioids, please contact the Board staff by phone at (877) 729-7789, (916) 263-2300, or by email at DentalBoard@dca.ca.gov.

Beginning January 1, 2023, dentists who provide direct patient care as an unpaid volunteer at a free public health care event or non-profit community health clinic can earn up to three (3) units of continuing education at a rate of one unit per hour. (CCR, tit. 16, § 1017, subs. (i).) Units of credit may be issued in half hour increments.

New CE Requirement for Retired Dentists

Beginning January 1, 2023, CE for retired dentists in only uncompensated practice shall include the mandatory courses and courses directly related to the delivery of dental services and shall be no less than 30 units. (CCR, tit. 16, § 1017, subs. (u).)