The following information was found on the Florida Department of Health’s website:

As a condition of the biennial renewal of a license, each licensee shall be required to complete continuing education courses as stated in Rule 64B5-12.013, Florida Administrative Code, which are relevant to, and which enhance the licensee’s ability to practice.

Licensees shall not be required to complete continuing education requirements during the biennium in which they receive initial licensure with the exception of a board approved HIV/AIDS course.

The current biennium is March 1, 2010-February 28, 2012.

Dentist – 30 hours of continuing education which must include:

• 2 hours in the prevention of medical errors
• 2 hours in domestic violence (every third biennium)
• In addition to the 30 hours, each dentist must complete a CPR course at the basic life support level, which includes training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the basic support level, including one-rescuer and two-rescuer CPR for adults, children, and infants; the relief of foreign body airway obstructions for adults, children, and infants; the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED); and the use of ambu-bags resulting in certification or recertification by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or an entity with equivalent requirements.

HIV/AIDS is required only if this is the licensees first renewal

Dental Hygienist – 24 hours of continuing education which must include:

• 2 hours in the prevention of medical errors
• 2 hours in domestic violence (every third biennium)
• In addition to the 24 hours, each dental hygienist must complete a CPR course at the basic life support level, which includes training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the basic support level, including one-rescuer and two-rescuer CPR for adults, children, and infants; the relief of foreign body airway obstructions for adults, children, and infants; the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED); and the use of ambu-bags resulting in certification or recertification by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or an entity with equivalent requirements.

HIV/AIDS is required only if this is the licensees first renewal

Continuing Education Providers

The following are acceptable as continuing education for the Board of Dentistry and may be self-reported through a CE Broker:

• courses offered by the American or National Dental Associations and their constituent and component dental associations and societies, including affiliated specialty organizations or a provider organization recognized by either the American or National Dental Associations;
• American or National Dental Hygienist Association and their constituent and component associations and societies;
• Academy of General Dentistry and its constituent and component organizations or a provider approved by the Academy of General Dentistry’s National Sponsor Approval Program;
• a dental, dental hygiene or dental assisting school accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation;
• a hospital dental service or a college, university, or community college which is accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the United States Office of Education;
• American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society;
• an educational program or course associated with a medical school which is accredited by the American Medical Association’s Liaison Committee for Medical Education
• participating in Board-approved individual study;
• by participating in examination standardization exercises;
• by participating in programs approved by the Board that provide substantial pro bono dental and dental hygiene services to the indigent, to dentally underserved populations or to persons who reside in areas of critical need within Florida;
• by participating as an expert witness in the review of disciplinary cases;
• by participating as part of a course at a dental, dental hygiene or dental assisting school accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation, its successor agency or other nationally recognized accrediting agency, an adjunct, part-time faculty member may receive three (3) continuing education hours per semester/quarter;
• by attending a meeting of the Board wherein disciplinary cases are considered. Up to four hours of credit per renewal cycle may be earned in this manner.

This information should not be misconstued as legal advice.

The Soreide Law Group represents those seeking admittance to the Florida Board of Dentistry. We also represent those dentists brought in front of the Florida Board of Dentistry for disciplinary hearings.  To speak to a lawyer regarding these issues please call: (888) 760-6552, or visit our website at: www.floridaprofessionallicense.com.