Continuing Education FAQ's

Education must be "clinical" in all areas.
Mandatory - two hours of Infection Control (including MOSH) and current CPR for Health Care Providers for each two year renewal period. CPR does not count towards renewal credits.

The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners now requires that ALL 30 CE credits must be obtained by December 31 of the year PRIOR to the license expiring. If a license expires on June 30, 2007 then all CE credits to qualify for renewal must be taken by December 31, 2006. The Licensees may still request, in writing a six month extension, but all CE credits must be obtained on or before the expiration date of the license (June 30). Questions??? Call the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners at 410-402-8501.

30 hours of CE every two years. This applies for both dentists and dental hygienists.

Two hours of Infection Control within four years and also must become recertified in CPR-C.

Yes, as long as they are approved sponsors in the CE regulations (ADA or AGD state constituent society, etc.) Please contact the SBDE for a list of approved sponsors.

No, it does not. However, the SBDE has licensure by waiver of clinical examination for dentists and dental hygienists. A dentist must be in active clinical practice for the past five (5) years and a dental hygienist must be in active clinical practice for the past three (3) years.

If you are a new graduate and receive your license within six months of graduation, CE requirements are waived for the first license renewal period (two years after date of obtaining license).

Up to 15 hours of home study. (NOTE from the SBDE: Just because the dental hygienist or dentist sees an advertised course that says "Board Approved", it does not mean it is approved by the Maryland SBDE. Contact the Board to learn if this course has been approved.)

Yes, if you want to renew your license, you must follow CE requirements. Also, licensees who are on an inactive status shall provide evidence of compliance with the CE requirements of the SBDE for the two-year period preceding application for reactivation of their license. Also if license is suspended, the licensee needs to be current with SBDE CE credits to be reinstated.

If you have not practiced actively in dentistry or dental hygiene with three (3) years before the license expires, the Board must issue an inactive license.

No, they may not be carried over into the next licensing period.

Yes, if the Maryland SBDE has recognized and approved the courses up to 15 credit hours.

None. Maryland licensed dental hygienists may not monitor nitrous oxide.

The SBDE will count up to a maximum of 15 credit hours of CE times spent in preparing lectures or preparing articles in dental journals or preparing and presenting table clinics. *In addition to the above, the SBDE recognizes successful completion of the following written examinations as equivalent to 25 full hours of CE: Academy of General Dentistry's Fellowship exam and exams leading to recognized specialty boards' Diplomate status.