Online Continuing Education (CE) Courses in Dentistry
If you're a licensed dentist, your state most likely has continuing education (CE) requirements. You might take CE courses as a specialization requirement for certain areas of dentistry. While CE credits might require in-person completion to maintain licensure, you can access many CE courses online. Schools offering Dental Assisting degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
What Kind of Online Continuing Education Courses in Dentistry are Available?
Many dental schools and organizations, including the American Dental Association (ADA), offer a variety of online CE courses. You can learn about air abrasion, treating bad breath and other specialized issues, like working with diabetic clients, people with hypertension or HIV patients. You might take courses that teach you how to run your practice. Other options include Occupational Health and Safety Administration courses that cover the rules, regulations and procedures for maintaining safety in the workplace.
How Do the Courses Work?
To enroll in an online dentistry CE course, you'll pay a fee and receive access to course materials. These are often videos, texts and other documents that are studied on your own time. Many courses can be completed in less than a day, but you'll usually be able to start and stop as needed without losing your progress. Upon completion, you'll take an exam and print out a certificate of completion.
Some common software you'll probably use in an online dental CE course includes Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Flash Player and Windows Media Player. While you'll be able to access courses at your convenience, support services are usually limited to business hours. Depending on the course provider, access is often limited to one year from the date of payment.
Do I Have to Take CE Courses?
With very few exceptions, each state requires licensed dentists to take continuing education courses to maintain licensure. If you'd like to specialize in a particular area of dentistry, there are often additional requirements, including CE courses.
According to the ADA, some states have guidelines concerning the types of CE courses that qualify for credit. You may not be able to complete all of your required hours through online learning. The ADA offers a list of each state's requirements and self-guided learning restrictions. Other CE offerings include seminars, classes or additional readings.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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