|
Public
Registrants
Certified Dental Assistants
Continuing Education
Dental Practice
Miscellaneous
National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB)
Registration and Licensing
Continuing Education
Q1 - Where can I learn more about Continuing Education requirements for licensure as a dentist or CDA in BC?
A - The College of Dental Surgeons endorses and promotes the philosophy that registrants must remain contemporary in thought and practice throughout their careers. Guidelines for Mandatory Continuing Education outline the goals of the College’s Quality Assurance Program, including CE objectives and requirements. The Guidelines also identify specific categories and the maximum number of credits that may be obtained in each. The Guidelines were updated in 2006 to reflect current requirements.
Q2 - What has changed in the Guidelines?
A - 1. Quality Assurance Requirements
“Non-clinical Dental Category”: (replaces “Personal Enhancement”)
“Personal Enhancement” was renamed “Non-clinical Dental” to better reflect the fact that credit points are available for participation in non-clinical dental or dental assisting education programs in areas that have significant intellectual or practical content related to the practice of dentistry and/or the management of the dental practice. They can also be related to the professional responsibility or ethical obligations of the participant. These include practice management, practice-related personal development and other profession-related general interest topics, subject to Article 17.04 of the Rules.
The credit limit for “Non-clinical Dental” per three-year cycle has been reduced slightly for dentists to 20 credits from 22, and increased for certified dental assistants to 12 credits from 7.
NOTE: Starting January 1, 2008, the following changes will come into effect:
Dental Practice Management – will be reduced to 30 credits from 54 for dentists, and to 18 credits from 22 for CDAs.
Non-Clinical Dental – will be reduced to 15 credits from 20 for dentists, and unchanged for CDAs to a maximum of 12 credits.
2. Categories and Credits
Dental Teaching Programs for Dentists and CDAs : In the past, the maximum credits per year varied between dentists and CDAs. The new Guidelines allocate the same maximum for both.
Full-time – hour for hour credit to a maximum of 20 credits per cycle
Part-time – hour for hour credit to a maximum of 20 credits per cycle
Lecturers, presenters, study club mentors – hour for hour to a maximum of 20 credits per cycle
Q3 - When did the revised Guidelines take effect?
A - These revised Guidelines were phased in during 2006 to accommodate registrants whose cycles conclude at the end of that year. Effective January 1, 2007, the updated Guidelines became the only document in effect.
Q4 - How can I check my CE transcripts?
Your can report CE credits online through the College website and check your CE status/transcripts in the “Registrants ” section of the website.
Q5 - When does my 3-year cycle start?
A - On January 1 of the calendar year following the year of registration.
Q6 - If I take a course before January 1, will it count towards my 90/36 credit hour requirement?
A - Yes. For first time registrants credits obtained between the date of registration and the beginning of the first three-year cycle may be applied to the first three-year cycle.
Q7 - I am taking a course next month, how will I know if it is eligible for credit?
A - Refer to the "Guidelines for Mandatory Continuing Education" in your BC Dental Manual/Certified Dental Assistant Manual or click here.
Q8 - I am interested in conducting a course and I want to advise prospective participants if it will be eligible for credit, can you tell me if it is eligible?
A - The College does not provide prior approval for courses. However, if the course adheres to the "Guidelines for Mandatory Continuing Education", in particular the stated Objectives, it will likely be eligible.
Q9 - I am taking a course, can I claim it under Non-Clinical Dental?
A - No, it does not fulfill the Objectives in the "Guidelines for Mandatory Continuing Education" which states: Courses or their educational equivalents must have significant intellectual or practical content, directly related to the practice of dentistry or certified dental assisting, or to the professional or ethical responsibility of the participant.
Contact the College’s CE Coordinator if you have questions about continuing education.
Q10 - What is self-study and what courses qualify?
A - Courses that are completed by correspondence, clinical video tapes, CD-ROM, Internet, etc., will be eligible for credit provided they adhere to section 3.i) Self-Study in the "Guidelines for Mandatory Continuing Education."
Q11 - I am a member of a study club. How do I report my credits to the College?
A - The study club secretary is responsible for reporting the credits semi-annually on behalf of the members.
Q12 - I am a member of a study club, component society or I have taken self-study courses through UBC and these credits are still not on my transcript, what should I do?
A - Please allow up to two months for these organizations to submit the credits on your behalf. If they are not on your transcript after that time, contact the individual organization.
Q13 - I took a CE course but only received partial credit for completing the course, why was it refused?
A - The credits claimed may have exceeded daily or other credit maximums (see the "Guidelines for Mandatory Continuing Education") or, the Quality Assurance Committee may have determined that the course is not eligible for full credits.
Q14 - I submitted CE credits to the College but they are still not showing up on my transcript, what should I do?
A - Please resubmit the individual credit submission form either by clicking here or sending a copy fax or mail. It will take approximately 10 days to process your CE credits. You can check your transcripts by loging on to the “registrants” section of the website or by calling the College to confirm that the credits are on your transcript.
|
