Rhode Island
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Updated: 5/1/2018
Summary Dentist
Renewal Deadline: April 30th Even Years
Renewal Period: 2 Years
Required Hours: 40
State Mandated CE Courses: CPR, 1 hour OSHA/Blood Borne Pathogens,
Limits on Courses: CPR and OSHA cannot be self-study
Summary RDH
Renewal Deadline: April 30th Even Years
Renewal Period: 2 Years
Required Hours: 20
State Mandated CE Courses: CPR, 1 hour OSHA/Blood Borne Pathogens,
Limits on Courses: CPR and OSHA cannot be self-study
Rhode Island Board of Dentistry
R5-31.1-DHA 5.2 and 10.2-10.3
5.2 Continuing Education---Dentists
5.2.1 Pursuant to the provisions of §5-31.1-7 of the Act, all dentists licensed to practice in this state under the provisions of the Act and these Regulations, on or before the first (1st) day of May of each even-numbered year shall maintain evidence that in the preceding two (2) years he or she has satisfactorily completed at least forty (40) hours of continuing dental education courses, according to the criteria established by the Rhode Island Dental Association and approved by the Board. Continuing education requirements cited in these Regulations shall be prorated for a licensee whose license is in effect for a period of less than two (2) years (i.e., an average of twenty (20) hours of continuing education shall be required each year the license is in effect).
(a) It shall be the sole responsibility of the individual dentist to obtain documentation from the approved sponsoring or co-sponsoring organization, agency or other, of his or her participation in a learning experience, including the date, and number of hours earned.
(b) At the time of license renewal, each licensee shall be required to attest to the fact that he/she has complied with the continuing education requirements established by these Regulations. Course descriptions, proof of attendance, or other documentation of completion shall be retained by the licensee for a minimum of five (5) years and is subject to random audit by the Board. Failure to produce satisfactory documentation of completion of requirements upon request of the Board may constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
5.2.2 (a) All dentists practicing in a dental setting shall receive a minimum of one (1) hour per year of training on and shall comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen Standards (reference 1) in order to protect against occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
(b) Effective 1 July 2012, all dentists practicing in a dental setting shall hold a current certificate of completion from an approved course in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS).
5.2.3 If the applicant attests to completion of the prescribed course(s) of continuing dental education established by the Rhode Island Dental Association, as approved by the Board, and is in compliance with the provisions of §5-31.1-7 of the Act, the Board shall issue the applicant a license registration for a two (2) year period in accordance with the requirements of §6.0 of these Regulations.
5.2.4 Licensure renewal shall be denied to any applicant who fails to attest to completion continuing dental education as required by these Regulations. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of §5.2.3 of these Regulations, no license to practice dentistry in this state shall be refused, nor shall any license be suspended or revoked except as: (1) provided in the Act; and (2) for failure to attest to completion of continuing dental education as required by these Regulations.
5.2.5 The Board may, however, extend for only one (1) six (6) month period such educational requirements, if the Board is satisfied that the applicant has suffered hardship which prevented him/her from meeting the requirements of these Regulations’
10.2 Continuing Education--Dental Hygienists
10.2.1 Pursuant to the provisions of §5-31.1-7 of the Act, all dental hygienists licensed to practice in this state under the provisions of the Act and these Regulations, shall, on or before the first (1st) day of May of each even-numbered year maintain evidence that in the preceding two (2) years he or she has satisfactorily completed at least twenty (20) hours of continuing education courses relevant to the practice of dental hygiene, according to the criteria established by the Rhode Island Dental Hygienists Association and approved by the Board. Continuing education requirements cited in these Regulations shall be prorated for a licensee whose license is in effect for a period of less than two (2) years (i.e., an average of ten (10) hours of continuing education shall be required each year the license is in effect).
10.2.2 (a) All dental hygienists practicing in a dental setting shall receive a minimum of one (1) hour per year of training on and shall comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen Standards (reference 1) in order to protect against occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
(b) Effective 1 July 2012. all dental hygienists practicing in a dental setting shall hold a current certificate of completion of an approved course in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS).
10.2.3 If the applicant attests to completion of prescribed course(s) of continuing education and is in compliance with the provisions of §5-31.1-6 of the Act, the Board shall issue the applicant a license registration for a two (2) year period in accordance with the requirements of §6.0 of these Regulations.
10.2.4 It shall be the sole responsibility of the individual dental hygienist to obtain documentation from the approved sponsoring or co-sponsoring organization, agency or other, of his or her participation in the learning experience, including the date and number of hours earned. (a) These documents must be safeguarded by the dental hygienist for a minimum of five (5) years for random audit by the Board, if requested. At the time of license renewal, each licensee shall be required to attest that he/she has complied with the continuing education requirements stated herein. Failure to produce satisfactory documentation of completion of continuing education requirements upon request by the Board may constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
10.2.5 Licensure renewal shall be denied to any applicant who fails to attest to completion of continuing education courses relevant to the practice of dental hygiene as required by these Regulations. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of §10.2.4(a) of these Regulations, no license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in this state shall be refused, nor shall any license be suspended or revoked, except as: (1) provided for in the Act; and (2) failure to attest to completion of continuing education as provided by these Regulations.
10.2.6 The Board may, however, extend for only one (1) six (6) month period such educational requirements, if the Board is satisfied that the applicant has suffered hardship which prevented the applicant from meeting the requirements of these Regulations.
Dental Assistants
10.3 All dental assistants practicing in a dental setting shall receive a minimum of one (1) hour per year of training on and shall comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen Standards (reference 1) in order to protect against occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.