Complete the 24 hours of continuing education (CE) required during a two-year cycle. The calendar cycle begins January 1 in odd-numbered years and ends December 31 of the subsequent even-numbered year. Classes, workshops, seminars or other courses related to a dental assistant's duties are acceptable CE. CE coursework offering certification for specialized training is also accepted.
Maintain a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) license. A CPR card is issued for successful completion of a Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider course, a CPR and/or Automated External Defibrillators (AED) course for professional rescuers, or any similar course that trains health care professionals in CPR and the use of AEDs. Attendance is required (online courses are not accepted), courses must be taught by a certified instructor, and courses must include a hands-on skills test.
Complete a minimum of two hours in chemical dependency education as part of each 24-hour continuing education segment. Classes, workshops or seminars must be taught by a certified instructor and must issue written proof of attendance.
The Tennessee Board of Dentistry defines acceptable CE for registered dental assistants as any course sponsored or approved by the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Hygienists' Association, National Dental Association, National Dental Hygiene Association, Capital City Dental Society, American Dental Assistants' Association, Tennessee Dental Hygienists Academy of Advance Study, Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or any constituents of these organizations.
Passing any college-level course sponsored by any accredited school of dentistry, dental hygienist school, or dental assistant school can be counted. Three semester hours or equivalent quarter hours in these courses account for 15 CE hours. Up to five hours per calendar year of attendance at regional, state or national meetings of the above associations and the CE courses at those functions can be counted.
Obtain from each approved CE course a certification that states the date, starting and ending dates of training, CE course topic, instructor's name and title and signature of the person authorized to approve the course. Copies of proof of attendance are required if continuing education is audited.