Continuing education requirements for general dentists and dental specialists
As part of continuing education, all general dentists and dental specialists registered with the College must obtain a minimum of 90 credit hours over a rolling three-year period preceding the registration renewal.
Please note the following:
- Credit hours in excess of those required in a rolling three-year period cannot be carried forward to a subsequent cycle;
- For licensed specialists, at least 70% of the required credit hours must be obtained through programs pertaining to their specialty; and
- For first-time registrants, the requirement is prorated—30 credit hours are required at the first renewal and 60 credit hours at the second renewal.
Continuing education activities
The following continuing education activities are recognized by the College Council:
Courses
Courses, or their educational equivalents, should be closely related to the practice of dentistry. The following course sponsors and their presentations will automatically be approved for credit:
- All accredited dental schools;
- Provincial, state, regional, national and international dental associations;
- Study clubs approved by the College Council;
- National dental specialty organizations recognized by the Canadian Dental Association or American Dental Association; or
- Other organizations not directly related to dentistry if the course is specifically focused on dentistry and presented to a dentistry audience.
Hour-for-hour credit hours, no maximum
Meetings and conventions
This activity category includes:
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Conventions with a significant scientific educational content
Hour-for-hour credit hours if the registrant provides proof of attendance at each lecture session along with the convention information brochure.
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Quarterly, special and annual meetings of the Dental Association of PEI
1 credit hour per meeting to a maximum of five credits per year
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Multiday convention-type meetings such as provincial (outside PEI), state, regional national, or international conventions
5 credit hours per convention
Study clubs
A study club must maintain attendance records and provide the participants with proof of attendance.
1 credit hour per meeting to a maximum of 7 credit hours per year
Advanced study
Postgraduate study, internships and residencies for dentists in acceptable full-time programs will fulfill their continuing education requirements for the period of the program.
30 credit hours per year of study
Serving on the National Dental Examining Board of Canada
Registered members who actively serve on the National Dental Examining Board of Canada or other recognized examining bodies can claim this activity as continuing education.
Hour-for hour to a maximum of 7 credit hours per year
Dental public health in-service
Registered dentists who participate in department-sponsored courses can claim this activity as continuing education.
Hour-for-hour to a maximum of 5 credit hours per year
Print and electronic self-study courses
The College Council recognizes studying periodicals, journals, newsletters, or audio/video recordings, or taking part in digital/Internet-based self-study programs as a continuing education activity. Self-study programs must be a minimum of one hour duration and can only constitute 50% of required credit hours.
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Programs without independently graded assessments
1 credit hour for each print/electronic publication to a maximum of 4 credit hours per year (12 credit hours over a rolling three-year period)
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Programs with independently graded assessments
1 credit hour for each print/electronic publication to a maximum of 10 credit hours per year (30 credit hours over a rolling three-year period)
Serving on Association and College committees
Registered dentists who serve on the Dental Association of PEI or PEIDC committees may claim these activities as continuing education.
3 credit hours per year to a maximum of 9 credit hours over a rolling three-year period
Volunteering
Registered dentists who volunteer dental services outside their practice may claim this activity as continuing education.
