Continuing Education and CE Reporting
What this domain tests
This domain tests the CE cycle, hour requirements, approved subject matter, documentation, and the difference between completing CE and reporting it. Missouri’s Board sets dentist and hygienist CE hours by rule, requires specified topic hours, and audits compliance. The licensee bears the burden of proving attendance and content.
Core rules and concepts
- Under the Board’s CE rule, dentists complete 50 clock hours per biennial renewal cycle, and dental hygienists complete 30 clock hours per cycle. The Board may require specified hours in topics such as infection control; verify the current mandated topics before renewal.
- CE must come from Board-approved or recognized providers and be relevant to dental practice. Not every online course, podcast, or office meeting counts.
- Keep certificates for the full audit period. A certificate should show provider, course title, date, hours, and attendee. Self-reported attendance without documentation is weak evidence.
- Reporting is an attestation, not a substitute for completion. Audits can occur after renewal, and a shortfall can lead to discipline even if the license was renewed.
Worked example
A dentist submits 55 CE hours for the cycle: 20 hours from an approved infection-control course, 25 hours from a recognized dental conference, and 10 hours from an unapproved online “practice management” webinar. Only the approved and recognized hours count, so the dentist has 45 acceptable hours. Because the requirement is 50, the renewal is short by 5 hours. The dentist must correct the deficiency promptly; claiming the webinar was “educational” does not make it approved.
Traps that cost marks
- Counting duplicate courses or non-clinical topics that the rule excludes.
- Assuming registration for a course equals completion.
- Forgetting that CE does not cure a lapsed license.
- Failing to keep certificates because the renewal was already approved.