California is introducing new continuing education requirements for dentists in the state beginning Jan. 1, 2023.
Five things to know:
1. Dentists will be required to complete two units on opioid prescribing in order to renew their licenses with the state board, according to an Oct. 21 news release from the California Dental Association.
2. The California Dental Association partnered with Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif., to create a course that fills the new opioid prescription course requirement pending board approval. However, dentists will also have other courses to choose from.
3. Dentists will be able to take a course approved by the American Safety and Health Institute to fulfill the state's requirement for a basic life support course.
4. Up to three credit units will be issued for providing direct patient care as an unpaid volunteer in specific settings.
5. The state will only require 30 units of continuing education to renew licenses for retired dentists in uncompensated practice.