eduCation on Continuing eduCation!What is the reporting period for continuing education and howmany hours <strong>of</strong> continuing education do I need?The reporting period extends over two (2) years runningfrom January 1 through December <strong>of</strong> the each odd numberedyear for dentists and dental hygienists. The reporting period forregistered dental assistants is also every two (2) years runningfrom January 1 through December 31 <strong>of</strong> the each even numberedyear. Dentists must obtain a minimum <strong>of</strong> thirty two (32) hours<strong>of</strong> continuing education, and dental hygienists and registereddental assistants must obtain a minimum <strong>of</strong> sixteen (16) hours<strong>of</strong> continuing education. Only clinical continuing education willbe accepted by the <strong>Board</strong>. The <strong>Board</strong> recognizes that non clinicaleducation is important to the practice <strong>of</strong> dentistry. However, therequirement is for clinical CE only.May computer-based, home-study, correspondence, or videocourses be used to fulfill continuing education requirements?Yes. Continuing education credit will be given for computerbasedcourses, video courses, audio courses, reading, and/orcorrespondence/home study courses on a limited basis. Priorto taking such courses, it is highly recommended that licenseesobtain prior <strong>Board</strong> approval <strong>of</strong> any such courses on a course-bycoursebasis. A post-study examination must be a part <strong>of</strong> any <strong>of</strong> thecourses, and licensed dentists and dental hygienists shall ensurethey successfully complete and retain a copy <strong>of</strong> such post-studyexamination and any other documentation that would show pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>attendance. In the event <strong>of</strong> a CE audit, the onus falls on the licenseeto show pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> completion for all continuing education courses.Where can I obtain <strong>Board</strong>-approved on-line continuingeducation courses?An excellent source <strong>of</strong> on-line continuing education isthrough the American Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Dental</strong> <strong>Board</strong>s (AADB) orthe ADA. The NDSBDE is a member <strong>of</strong> this nationally-recognizedorganization, which derives its membership from other stateregulatory boards, specialty boards, and dental educators (www.dentalboards.org/ce/index.asp.) The NDSBDE also <strong>of</strong>fers a 2hour credit for taking the online jurisprudence and ethics exam,available on the <strong>Board</strong>’s website; www.nddentalboard.org. Themultiple choice exam is open book and is <strong>of</strong>fered at no charge tothe licensee. Because the exam is “no fail” the <strong>Board</strong> views this asan educational opportunity for licensees.Troubleshoot ‘log in’ problems regarding the onlinejurisprudence and ethics exam:Some licensees have had trouble logging in. An update hasbeen added to the website’s log in page to help with some <strong>of</strong> thecommon problems. Two <strong>of</strong> the most common issues have beenthat the “dash” is not entered in the social security number orthe licensee does not use the same name initially provided tothe board. The board only has one version <strong>of</strong> your name in thedatabase. The name you enter as you log in must match exactlywhat is entered in the database. The quickest way to find out whatname you have given the <strong>Board</strong> is to email or call the <strong>Board</strong>’s<strong>of</strong>fice (ndsbde@aptnd.com or 701-258-8600). If the licensee is stillunable to log in, they may need to contact their tech support orinternet provider to find out how to lower their security settings.Unfortunately, for some reason, some computers will not work tolog in to the <strong>Board</strong>’s database.How many years should I keep my continuing educationrecords?Continuing education records must be maintained a minimum<strong>of</strong> three (3) years from the date <strong>of</strong> course attendance and shouldconsist <strong>of</strong> certificates <strong>of</strong> course completion or correspondencefrom course sponsors verifying course attendance. Check stubsand receipts may be helpful for income tax purposes but may notbe acceptable as adequate pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> attendance.Summary <strong>of</strong> CE requirements:The minimum number <strong>of</strong> hours required within a two-yearcycle for dentists is thirty-two. Of these hours, a dentist mayearn no more than sixteen hours from publications and onlineeducation. The minimum number <strong>of</strong> hours required within atwo-year cycle for hygienists and registered or qualified dentalassistants is sixteen. Of these hours, a registered or qualifieddental assistant or a dental hygienist may earn no more than eighthours from publications and online education.ü The continuing dental education hours will accumulateon the basis <strong>of</strong> one hour <strong>of</strong> credit for each hour spentin education. Subject matter directly related to clinicaldentistry will be accepted by the board without limit.ü 2 hours <strong>of</strong> ethics or jurisprudence (online and free!)ü 2 hours <strong>of</strong> infection controlü A cardiopulmonary resuscitation courseü For anesthesia permit holders, four hours related tosedation or anesthesia[psst….this does NOT include local anesthesia]Define “clinical” dental continuing education.Clinical continuing education is defined as clinical coursespertaining to the actual delivery <strong>of</strong> dental services to patientsor health issues as they pertain to dental care. If you wish to becertain your course will be accepted for clinical CE credit, contactthe <strong>Board</strong>’s <strong>of</strong>fice.surveY saYs…The survey that was conducted on the <strong>Dental</strong>Economics Web site revealed some interesting findingsabout dentists and their relationships with state dentalboards. It’s incredible that many dentists do notunderstand the difference between their state dentalassociations and state dental boards.In the survey, 52% <strong>of</strong> dentists thought that the statedental board protects the interests <strong>of</strong> the dentists, 32%thought that the state dental board protects the interests<strong>of</strong> the dentists and the public, and just 16% <strong>of</strong> dentistsactually got it right by knowing that the state dentalboard protects the public.Your state dental association represents andadvocates for dentists in your state. In other words, yourstate dental association works for you. Meanwhile,The Mission <strong>of</strong> the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Dakota</strong> State <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Dental</strong> <strong>Examiners</strong> is to protect the dental health <strong>of</strong> thecitizens <strong>of</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Dakota</strong> by regulating the practice <strong>of</strong>dentistry, dental hygiene and dental assisting, throughthe enforcement <strong>of</strong> laws, rules and policies. Towardthis end, the board requires competency and ethicalbehavior in all areas <strong>of</strong> the practice <strong>of</strong> dentistry.Page 4
Central regional<strong>Dental</strong> testingserviCe, inC. UpDateCRDTSPresident, Dr.Tony Malaktarispassing the<strong>of</strong>ficial CRDTSgavel to Dr.Deena Kuempelat the August<strong>2011</strong> CRDTSAnnual Session.This past year has been very rewarding for me, both as a <strong>Board</strong>Member and as a <strong>Dental</strong> Examiner. As the President <strong>of</strong> the CentralRegional <strong>Dental</strong> Testing Service (CRDTS), it was a very busy yearand I would like to update all <strong>of</strong> you on what is happening.To date, CRDTS has examined 752 dental candidates andmore than 1500 hygiene candidates. CRDTS continues to growwith several new test sites scheduled in the coming year. Ournew examination season begins in September for dentists utilizingmanikin testing followed by patient based testing in the spring.CRDTS currently is accepted for initial licensure in 41 statesand is made up <strong>of</strong> 17 member states. Each member state has arepresentative on the Steering Committee, which is the governingbody <strong>of</strong> CRDTS. In addition, each member state has representationon both the dental and hygiene Examination Review Committees,which are responsible for the development and changes made to theexaminations. With this kind <strong>of</strong> structure, each member state hasequal input into all aspects <strong>of</strong> examination development.This past year CRDTS completed a statistical report, compiledby Dr. Tom Haladyna, a measurement specialist. The reasonCRDTS had this report done was to show its member states thatthe examinations were in fact valid and reliable measurements <strong>of</strong>what the candidates were being tested on. The complete report isavailable on CRDTS web site for anyone interested.CRDTS is working on an occupational analysis, which should bedone early next year. This study will show which procedures newgraduates are actually performing in the practice setting. Dr. GeneKramer, utilizing Subject Matter Experts in all areas <strong>of</strong> dentistry anddental hygiene, is completing this study. As with the statistical report,CRDTS hopes to show member states that CRDTS is truly testing thoseskill sets that entry-level practitioners will be performing in practice.If the report should show there are skill sets that are not being tested,they will be included in future examinations.As you can see there is much more involved with CRDTS thanjust the testing process. As a testing agency, CRDTS must continueto look at every aspect from examination development throughexamination administration in order to give its member statesassurance that dental and hygiene candidates for licensure haveproven they are competent and can begin practicing in the publicsetting. This is the fundamental goal <strong>of</strong> any State <strong>Board</strong> or TestingAgency and is designed for the protection <strong>of</strong> the public.A.G. Malaktaris, DDSWestern regionalexamining BoarDUpDateBy Rob Lauf, DDSWREB Completes Governance Restructuring and Elects New<strong>Board</strong> MembersIn the final step towards transition to the new governancestructure which has been under development for the last twoyears , members <strong>of</strong> the new WREB <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> Directors were electedby the <strong>Dental</strong> Exam Review <strong>Board</strong> (DERB) and Hygiene ExamReview <strong>Board</strong>(HERB) at their July meetings. The new members <strong>of</strong>the <strong>Board</strong> will take their seats effective at the next <strong>Board</strong> meetingin January 2012. Dr. Joe Zayas(TX) was also elected President.First Year <strong>of</strong> <strong>Dental</strong> Electronic Scoring CompletedAt the start <strong>of</strong> the <strong>2011</strong> examination season, WREB introducedits new <strong>Dental</strong> Electronic Scoring S<strong>of</strong>tware(DESS). As this examyear comes to a close, all involved are happy to report it was a greatsuccess. <strong>Examiners</strong> and staff are trained and find the s<strong>of</strong>twareuser friendly and an improvement in exam efficiency and schoolsand candidates are delighted with the improved turnaround time<strong>of</strong> results which has been as short as two days in some cases.West Virginia joins WREBAt the July meeting <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> Directors, West Virginiawas approved as WREB’s first affiliate member state. Affiliatemembers are states that accept WREB results and may provideexaminers and participate in committees. They do not have votingrights on the WREB Exam Review <strong>Board</strong> but may attend meetingsin an informational capacity. WREB welcomes West Virginia!Online Score RequestsBeginning in September <strong>2011</strong>, candidates who need a scorereport from WREB can request them through the WREB website.Change <strong>of</strong> mailinganD BUsiness aDDressPlease make sure to inform the <strong>Board</strong> in writing <strong>of</strong> anychange <strong>of</strong> mailing and business address. The <strong>Board</strong> needsto maintain a current mailing and business address in orderto relay appropriate correspondence and information to itslicensees.The NDCC 43-28-23 requires “Within thirty days aftera licensed and registered dentist changes the dentist’s place<strong>of</strong> business, the dentist shall notify the executive director <strong>of</strong>the board <strong>of</strong> the new address. ” Hygienists and registereddental assistants have similar statute requiring notification <strong>of</strong>change <strong>of</strong> home address.A change <strong>of</strong> address form is provided on the back <strong>of</strong> thisnewsletter. This form can be completed and mailed or faxedto the <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice.Page 5
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