DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Division of Professional Regulation
1100 Board of Dental Examiners
Statutory Authority: 24 Delaware Code,
Section 1106(a)(1) (24 Del.C. §1106(a)(1)
24 DE. Admin. Code 1100
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Delaware Board of Dental Examiners in accordance with 24 Del.C. §1106(a)(1) has proposed changes to its rules and regulations regarding continuing professional education. Specifically, the proposal amends the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) continuing education requirements for dentists and dental hygienists found in regulations 6.0 and 6.9 to provide that acceptable CPR courses must include hands on clinical participation. The proposal also adds a new subsection 6.6.9 under regulation 6.6 to require continuing education on an Anesthesia topic for holders of Unrestricted Permits and Restricted I Permits.
A public hearing will be held on March 9, 2006 at 6:15 p.m. in the first floor conference room A of the Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, Delaware where members of the public can offer comments. Anyone wishing to receive a copy of the proposed rules and regulations may obtain a copy from the Delaware Board of Dental Examiners, 861 Silver Lake Blvd., Cannon Building, Suite 203, Dover DE 19904. Persons wishing to submit written comments may forward these to the Board at the above address. The final date to receive written comments will be at the public hearing.
The Board will consider promulgating the proposed amendments to its regulations at its regularly scheduled meeting following the public hearing.
Proposed Rules and Regulations
6.0 Continuing Professional Education - Dentists
All persons licensed to practice dentistry in the State of Delaware shall be required to acquire 50 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) credit and to successfully complete a current course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) every two (2) years. The CPR course must encompass hands on clinical participation. On-line courses will not be accepted to satisfy the CPR requirement. Examples of acceptable courses include, but are not limited to, courses offered by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. All dentists, upon initial licensure in Delaware and prior to registration renewal, shall be given a written notice of these CPE requirements.
6.1 Proof of successful completion of the requisite CPE credits is required for registration renewal every two years.
6.2 Said CPE requirements shall become effective May 1, 1988. Proof of CPE credits must be submitted by March 1 of every two (2) even years.
6.3 It shall be the responsibility of the candidate for re-licensure to submit to the Board of Dental Examiners, evidence of his/her compliance with these requirements. The Division of Professional Regulation shall notify the candidate at least 30 days in advance of the need to renew his/her license, and shall request that the candidate submit evidence of compliance with the CPE requirements stated herein, along with other fees and documents required. However, failure to be notified by such agency shall not relieve the licensee of this obligation.
6.4 Not more than ten (10) hours of the fifty (50) hour biennial CPE requirement may be satisfied by self-study without testing from sources approved by the Board which shall include but not be limited to:
6.4.1 Reading dental textbooks
6.4.2 Reading dental tape journals
6.4.3 Viewing and listening to dental audio-visual materials.
6.5 CPE credits may be granted upon proof of successful completion of:
6.5.1 Scientific CPE programs or courses and/or the scientific sessions of meetings sponsored or approved by:
6.5.1.1 American Dental Association, its constituents and components
6.5.1.2 American Dental Hygienists’ Association, its constituents and components
6.5.1.3 American Dental Assisting Association, its constituents and components
6.5.1.4 Recognized national, regional, state and local dental and dental hygiene specialty organizations
6.5.1.5 Recognized dental and dental hygiene study clubs
6.5.1.6 Accredited dental and dental hygiene CPE programs offered by dental and dental hygiene schools.
6.5.1.7 Approved hospital programs.
6.5.1.8 Such other organizations and associations as may be approved by the Board.
6.5.2 In addition to the maximum of ten (10 hours of the CPE requirement which may be satisfied by self-study without testing and certification, a maximum of twenty (20) hours of the total CPE requirements may be fulfilled by self-study with test and certificate of completion from bona fide dental educational sources including but not limited to:
6.5.2.1 Dental journals
6.5.2.2 Dental textbooks
6.5.2.3 Dental video and audio tape presentations
6.5.2.4 Dental mail-in courses
6.5.2.5 Dental courses presented on the Internet
6.5.2.6 Dental lectures and courses presented via electronic media including computer disks where CPE credits are not specified, one (1) hour of credit will be given for each hour of scientific session attended.
6.6 Special Provisions
6.6.1 A dentist, employed as a faculty member in a recognized school of dentistry, dental hygiene, dental assisting or any dentally-related field will be allowed not more than ten (10) hours credit for teaching per year.
6.6.2 A dentist presenting a CPE course shall be allowed the hours involved in preparation and presentation on a one-time-per-course basis for a maximum of ten (10) hours for the two-year period.
6.6.3 Table Clinics will be allowed, one (1) hour of credit per hour of presentation for a maximum of two (2) hours.
6.6.4 Twelve (12) hours of credit shall be allowed for a scientific article published in a component or state society journal. 25 hours of credit shall be allowed for a scientific article published in a national journal or for a published scientific textbook or a chapter therein.
6.6.5 Any public health dentally-related presentation will be allowed one (1) hour of credit per hour of participation for a maximum of two (2) hours for the two year period.
6.6.6 Practice management or personal self-improvement courses shall be limited to a total of ten (10) hours for the two (2) year period.
6.6.7 The Board reserves the right to approve any and all activities deemed appropriate for CPE credit. The Board also reserves the right and is the final word to disapprove any activities submitted for credit which it deems inappropriate.
6.6.8 All dentists licensed to practice in Delaware shall be given written notice of these CPE requirements when receiving their initial license.
6.6.9 For existing holders of an Unrestricted Permit for anesthesia, at least twelve (12) hours of the required CPE credits must be taken on an Anesthesia topic by the end of the six (6) year re-evaluation period (i.e. by the end of the third biennial licensure renewal period).
For existing holders of a Restricted I Permit, at least six (6) hours of the required CPE credits must be taken on an Anesthesia topic by the end of the six (6) year re-evaluation period (i.e. by the end of the third biennial license renewal period).
6.7 Exceptions
6.7.1 An exception will be granted to any dentist who can demonstrate to the Board an acceptable cause as to why he/she should be relieved of this obligation. Exemptions will be granted only in unusual or extraordinary circumstances. Licensees must petition the Board for exemptions. Should the Board deny the request, the licensee must complete the requirements. Examples of circumstances for which the Board might grant exemptions include prolonged illness, extended absence from the country, or the like.
6.7.2 An individual initially licensed by the Board within the last 2 years shall meet the following schedule of reporting CPE credits for license renewal:
6.7.2.1 If, as of March 1st of the year for license renewal, the licensee has been licensed for less than 1 year, zero hours of CPE is required for license renewal; for licensees who are 1 or more but less than 2 years from their initial licensure, one-half of the required CPE must be presented; for individuals 2 years or more from their initial licensure, the full CPE requirement must be presented for renewal.
6.8 Failure to Comply
When the Board deems someone to be deficient in CPE requirements, the following procedure shall be followed:
6.8.1 The licensee for renewal shall be notified by the Division of Professional Regulation ("Division") by certified mail that a deficiency exists. The deficiency shall be specifically described by the Division.
6.8.2 The licensee's registration will not be renewed until he/she submits proof that the described deficiency has been corrected. Upon submission of satisfactory proof of correction of said deficiency, the licensee shall be eligible for registration renewal.
6.9 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) - Dental Hygienists
All persons licensed to practice dental hygiene in the State of Delaware shall be required to acquire twenty-four (24) hours of CPE credit and successfully complete a current course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) every two (2) years. The CPR course must encompass hands on clinical participation. On-line courses will not be accepted to satisfy the CPR requirement. Examples of acceptable courses include, but are not limited to, courses offered by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. All Dental hygienists, upon initial licensure and prior to registration renewal, shall be given written notice of these CPE requirements.
6.9.1 Proof of successful completion of the requisite CPE credits is required for registration renewal every two (2) years.
6.9.2 Said CPE requirements shall become effective May 1, 1988. Proof of CPE credits must be submitted by March 1st of every two (2) even years.
6.9.3 It shall be the responsibility of the candidate for re-licensure to submit to the Board of Dental Examiners, evidence of his/her compliance with these requirements. The Division of Professional Regulation shall notify the candidate at least 30 days in advance of the need to renew his/her license, and shall request that the candidate submit evidence of compliance with the CPE requirements state herein, along with other fees and documents required. However, failure to be notified by such agency shall not relieve the licensee of this obligation.
6.9.4 CPE credits may be granted upon proof of successful completion of programs including, but not limited to, the following categories:
6.9.4.1 Scientific CPE programs or courses and/or scientific sessions of meetings sponsored or approved by:
6.9.4.1.1 American Dental Hygienists Association, its constituents and components
6.9.4.1.2 American Dental Association, its constituents and components
6.9.4.1.3 American Dental Assisting Association, its constituents, and components
6.9.4.1.4 Recognized national, regional, state, and local dental and dental hygiene specialty societies
6.9.4.1.5 Recognized dental and dental hygiene study clubs
6.9.4.1.6 Accredited dental and dental hygiene schools
6.9.4.1.7 Approved hospital programs
6.9.4.1.8 Such other organizations and associations as may be approved by the Board
6.9.4.2 A maximum of five (5) hours of the total twenty-four (24) hour requirement may be satisfied by self-study without testing from sources approved by the Board which shall include but not be limited to:
6.9.4.2.1 Reading of dental or dental hygiene journals
6.9.4.2.2 Reading dental or dental hygiene textbooks
6.9.4.2.3 Viewing and listening to dental or dental hygiene audio-visual materials
6.9.4.3 In addition to the maximum of five (5) hours which may be satisfied by self-study without testing, a maximum of ten (10) hours of the total twenty-four (24) hour requirement may be fulfilled by self-study with test and certificate of completion from bona fide dental hygiene educational sources including but not limited to:
6.9.4.3.1 Dental or dental hygiene journals
6.9.4.3.2 Dental or dental hygiene textbooks
6.9.4.3.3 Dental or dental hygiene video and audio tape presentations
6.9.4.3.4 Dental or dental hygiene mail-in courses
6.9.4.3.5 Dental or dental hygiene courses presented on the Internet
6.9.4.3.6 Dental or dental hygiene lectures and courses presented via electronic media including computer disks
Where CPE credits are not specified, one (1) hour of CPE credit will be given for each hour of scientific session attended.
The final approval of acceptable dental hygiene CPE credits shall be made by the Board of Dental Examiners in consultation with the Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee.
6.10 Special Provisions
6.10.1 A dental hygienist, employed as a faculty member in a recognized school of dentistry, dental hygiene or dental assisting, will be allowed not more than five (5) hours credit for teaching per year.
6.10.2 A dental hygienist presenting a CPE course shall be allowed the hours involved in preparation and presentation on a one-time-per-course basis for a maximum of five (5) credits for the two-year period.
6.10.3 Table clinics will be allowed one (1) hour of credit per hour of presentation for a maximum of two (2) hours.
6.10.4 Twelve (12) hours of credit shall be granted for a scientific article published in a component or state society journal. Twelve (12) hours of credit shall be allowed for a scientific article published in a national journal or for a published scientific textbook or a chapter therein.
6.10.5 A dental hygienist giving public education instruction in a school will receive credit up to one (1) hour per year.
6.10.6 Practice management or personal self-improvement courses shall be limited to five (5) hours for the two (2) year period.
6.10.6.1 Practice management, personal self-improvement and computer courses shall be limited to 2.5 hours a year for a total of five(5) hours for the two year period.
6.10.7 The Board reserves the right to approve any and all activities deemed appropriate for CPE credit. The Board also reserves the right and is the final word to disapprove any activities submitted for credit which it deems inappropriate.
6.10.8 All dental hygienists licensed to practice in Delaware shall be given written notice of these CPE requirements when receiving their initial license.
6.11 Exceptions
6.11.1 An exception will be granted to any dental hygienist who can demonstrate to the Board an acceptable cause as to why he/she should be relieved of this obligation. Exemptions will be granted only in unusual or extraordinary circumstances. Licensees must petition the Board for exemptions. Should the Board deny the request, the licensee must complete the requirements. Examples of circumstances for which the Board might grant exemptions include prolonged illness, extended absence from the country, or the like.
6.11.2 An individual initially licensed by the Board within the last 2 years shall meet the following schedule of reporting CPE credits for license renewal:
6.11.2.1 If, as of March 1st of the year for license renewal, the licensee has been licensed for less than 1 year, zero hours of CPE is required for license renewal; for licensees who are 1 or more but less than 2 years from their initial licensure, one-half of the required CPE must be presented; for individuals 2 years or more from their initial licensure, the full CPE requirement must be presented for renewal.
6.12 Failure to Comply
When the Board deems someone to be deficient in CPE requirements, the following procedure shall be followed:
6.12.1 The licensee for registration renewal shall be notified by the Division by certified mail that a deficiency exists. The deficiency shall be specifically described by the Division.
6.12.2 The licensee's registration will not be renewed until he/she submits proof that the described deficiency has been corrected. Upon submission of satisfactory proof of correcting said deficiency, a licensee shall be eligible for registration renewal.
5 DE Reg. 1251 (12/01/01)
9 De Reg. 1036 (01/01/06)(Prop.)
*Please Note: As the rest of the sections were not amended, they are not being published. The complete regulation is available at:
http://www.state.de.us/AdminCode/title24/1100%20Board%20of%20Dental%20Examiners.shtml#TopOfPage
