CHAPTER 25
CONTINUING EDUCATION
[Prior to 5/18/88, Dental Examiners, Board of[320]]
650—25.1(153) Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, these definitions shall apply:
“Advisory committee” means a committee on continuing education formed to review and advise the board with respect to applications for approval of sponsors or activities. The committee’s members shall be appointed by the board and consist of at least one member of the board, two licensed dentists with expertise in the area of professional continuing education, two licensed dental hygienists with expertise in the area of professional continuing education, and two registered dental assistants with expertise in the area of professional continuing education. The advisory committee on continuing education may recommend approval or denial of applications or requests submitted to it pending final approval or disapproval of the board at its next meeting.
“Board” means the dental board.
“Continuing dental education” consists of education activities designed to review existing concepts and techniques and to update knowledge on advances in dental and medical sciences. The objective of continuing dental education is to improve the knowledge, skills, and ability of the individual to deliver the highest quality of service to the public and professions.
Continuing dental education should favorably enrich past dental education experiences. Programs should make it possible for practitioners to attune dental practice to new knowledge as it becomes available. All continuing dental education should strengthen the skills of critical inquiry, balanced judgment and professional technique.
“Dental public health” is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice in which the community serves as the patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, with the administration of group dental care programs, and with the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis.
“Hour of continuing education” means one unit of credit which shall be granted for each hour of contact instruction and shall be designated as a “clock hour.” This credit shall apply to either academic or clinical instruction.
“Licensee” means any person who has been issued a certificate to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in the state of Iowa.
“Registrant” means any person registered to practice as a dental assistant in the state of Iowa.
“Self-study activities” means the study of something by oneself, without direct supervision or attendance in a class. “Self-study activities” may include Internet-based coursework, television viewing, video programs, correspondence work or research, or computer programs that are interactive and require branching, navigation, participation and decision making on the part of the viewer. Internet-based webinars which include the involvement of an instructor and participants in real time and which allow for communication with the instructor through messaging, telephone or other means shall not be construed to be self-study activities.
“Sponsor” means a person, educational institution, or organization sponsoring continuing education activities which has been approved by the board as a sponsor pursuant to these rules. During the time a person, educational institution, or organization is an approved sponsor, all continuing education activities of such person or organization may be deemed automatically approved provided the continuing education activities meet the continuing education guidelines of the board.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.2(153) Continuing education administrative requirements.
	25.2(1) Each person licensed to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in this state shall complete during the biennium renewal period a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education approved by the board.
	25.2(2) Each person registered to practice dental assisting in this state shall complete during the biennium renewal period a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education approved by the board.
	25.2(3) Each person who holds a qualification in dental radiography in this state shall complete during the biennium renewal period a minimum of two hours of continuing education in the area of dental radiography.
	25.2(4) The continuing education compliance period shall be the 24-month period commencing September 1 and ending on August 31 of the renewal cycle.
	25.2(5) Hours of continuing education credit may be obtained by attending and participating in a continuing education activity either previously approved by the board or which otherwise meets the requirements herein and is approved by the board pursuant to rule 650—25.5(153).
	25.2(6) It is the responsibility of each licensee or registrant to finance the costs of continuing education.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.3(153) Documentation of continuing education hours.
	25.3(1) Every licensee or registrant shall maintain a record of all courses attended by keeping the certificates of attendance for four years. The board reserves the right to require any licensee or registrant to submit the certificates of attendance for the continuing education courses attended. If selected for continuing education audit, the licensee or registrant shall file a signed continuing education form and submit certificates or other evidence of attendance.
	25.3(2) Licensees and registrants are responsible for obtaining proof of attendance forms when attending courses. Clock hours must be verified by the sponsor with the issuance of proof of attendance forms to the licensee or registrant.
	25.3(3) Each licensee or registrant shall report the number of continuing education credit hours completed during the current renewal cycle in compliance with this chapter. Such report shall be filed with the board at the time of application for renewal of a dental or dental hygiene license or renewal of dental assistant registration.
	25.3(4) No carryover of credits from one biennial period to the next will be allowed.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.4(153) Required continuing education courses.
	25.4(1) The following courses are required for licensees and registrants:
	a. 	Mandatory reporter training for child abuse and dependent adult abuse.
	b. 	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
	c. 	Infection control.
	d. 	Jurisprudence.
	25.4(2) Mandatory reporter training for child abuse and dependent adult abuse.
	a. 	Licensees or registrants who regularly examine, attend, counsel or treat children in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of two hours of training in child abuse identification and reporting in the previous five years or conditions for exemptions as identified in paragraph “f” of this subrule, pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 232. Completion of training in this course shall result in two hours of continuing education credit.
	b. 	Licensees or registrants who regularly examine, attend, counsel or treat adults in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of two hours of training in dependent adult abuse identification and reporting in the previous five years or conditions for exemptions as identified in paragraph “f” of this subrule, pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 235B.
	c. 	Licensees or registrants who regularly examine, attend, counsel or treat both children and adults in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of at least two hours of training on the identification and reporting of abuse in children and dependent adults in the previous five years or conditions for exemptions as identified in paragraph “f” of this subrule, pursuant to Iowa Code chapters 232 and 235B. Training may be completed through separate courses or in one combined course that includes curricula for identifying and reporting child abuse and dependent adult abuse. Completion of training in this combined course shall result in three hours of continuing education credit.
	d. 	The licensee or registrant shall maintain written documentation for five years after completion of the mandatory training, including program date(s), content, duration, and proof of participation. The board may audit this information at any time within the five-year period.
	e. 	Training programs in child and dependent adult abuse identification and reporting that are approved by the board are those that use a curriculum approved by the abuse education review panel of the department of public health or a training program offered by the department of human services, the department of education, an area education agency, a school district, the Iowa law enforcement academy, an Iowa college or university, or a similar state agency.
	f. 	Exemptions. Licensees and registrants shall be exempt from the requirement for mandatory training for identifying and reporting child and dependent adult abuse if the board determines that it is in the public interest or that at the time of the renewal the licensee or registrant is issued an extension or exemption pursuant to rule 650—25.10(153).
	25.4(3) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Licensees and registrants shall furnish evidence of valid certification for CPR, which shall be credited toward the continuing education requirement for renewal of the license, faculty permit or registration. Such evidence shall be filed at the time of renewal of the license, faculty permit or registration. Valid certification means certification by an organization on an annual basis or, if that certifying organization requires certification on a less frequent basis, evidence that the licensee or registrant has been properly certified for each year covered by the renewal period. In addition, the course must include a clinical component. Credit hours awarded for certification in CPR shall not exceed three hours of required continuing education hours per biennium.
	25.4(4) Infection control. Beginning September 1, 2018, licensees and registrants shall complete continuing education in the area of infection control. Licensees and registrants shall furnish evidence of continuing education completed within the previous biennium in the area of infection control standards, as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Completion of continuing education in the area of infection control shall be credited toward the required continuing education requirement in the renewal period during which it was completed. A minimum of one hour shall be submitted.
	25.4(5) Jurisprudence. Beginning September 1, 2018, licensees and registrants shall complete continuing education in the area of Iowa jurisprudence related to the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental assisting. Licensees and registrants shall furnish evidence of continuing education completed within the previous biennium in the area of Iowa jurisprudence. Completion of continuing education in the area of Iowa jurisprudence shall be credited toward the required continuing education requirement in the renewal period during which it was completed. A minimum of one hour shall be submitted.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.5(153) Acceptable programs and activities.
	25.5(1) A continuing education activity shall be acceptable and not require board approval if it meets the following criteria:
	a. 	It constitutes an organized program of learning (including a workshop or symposium) which contributes directly to the professional competency of the licensee or registrant and is of value to dentistry and applicable to oral health care; and
	b. 	It pertains to common subjects or other subject matters which relate to the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting which are intended to refresh and review, or update knowledge of new or existing concepts and techniques, and enhance the dental health of the public; and
	c. 	It is conducted by individuals who have sufficient special education, training and experience to be considered experts concerning the subject matter of the program. The program must include a written outline or manual that substantively pertains to the subject matter of the program.
	25.5(2) Types of activities acceptable for continuing dental education credit may include:
	a. 	A dental science course that includes topics which address the clinical practice of dentistry, dental hygiene, dental assisting and dental public health.
	b. 	Courses in record keeping, medical conditions which may have an effect on oral health, ergonomics related to clinical practice, HIPAA, risk management, sexual boundaries, communication with patients, OSHA regulations, and the discontinuation of practice related to the transition of patient care and patient records.
	c. 	Sessions attended at a multiday convention-type meeting. A multiday convention-type meeting is held at a national, state, or regional level and involves a variety of concurrent educational experiences directly related to the practice of dentistry.
	d. 	Postgraduate study relating to health sciences.
	e. 	Successful completion of a recognized specialty examination or the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination.
	f. 	Self-study activities.
	g. 	Original presentation of continuing dental education courses.
	h. 	Publication of scientific articles in professional journals related to dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting.
	25.5(3) Credit may be given for other continuing education activities upon request and approval by the board.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.6(153) Unacceptable programs and activities.
	25.6(1) Unacceptable subject matter and activity types include, but are not limited to, personal development, business aspects of practice, business strategy, financial management, marketing, sales, practice growth, personnel management, insurance, collective bargaining, and events where volunteer services are provided. While desirable, those subjects and activities are not applicable to dental skills, knowledge, and competence. Therefore, such courses will receive no credit toward renewal. The board may deny credit for any course.
	25.6(2) Inquiries relating to acceptability of continuing dental education activities, approval of sponsors, or exemptions should be directed to Advisory Committee on Continuing Dental Education, Iowa Dental Board, 400 S.W. 8th Street, Suite D, Des Moines, Iowa 50309-4687.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.7(153) Prior approval of activities. A person or organization, other than an approved sponsor, that desires prior approval for a course, program or other continuing education activity or that desires to establish approval of the activity prior to attendance may apply for approval to the board, using board-approved forms, at least 90 days in advance of the commencement of the activity. Within 90 days after receipt of such application, the board shall advise the licensee or registrant in writing whether the activity is approved and the number of hours allowed. All requests may be reviewed by the advisory committee on continuing education prior to final approval or denial by the board. An application fee as specified in 650—Chapter 15 is required. Continuing education course approval shall be valid for a period of five years following the date of board approval. Thereafter, courses may be resubmitted for approval. Courses which clearly meet the criteria listed under acceptable programs and activities are not required to be submitted for approval.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.8(153) Postapproval of activities. A licensee or registrant seeking credit for attendance and participation in an educational activity which was not conducted by an approved sponsor or otherwise approved and which does not clearly meet the acceptable programs and activities listed in rule 650—25.5(153) may apply for approval to the board using board-approved forms. Within 90 days after receipt of such application, the board shall advise the licensee or registrant in writing whether the activity is approved and the number of hours allowed. All requests may be reviewed by the advisory committee on continuing education prior to final approval or denial by the board. An application fee as specified in 650—Chapter 15 is required.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.9(153) Designation of continuing education hours. Continuing education hours shall be determined by the length of a continuing education course in clock hours. For the purpose of calculating continuing education hours for renewal of a license or registration, the following rules shall apply:
	25.9(1) Attendance at a multiday convention.
	a. 	Attendees at a multiday convention may receive a maximum of 1.5 hours of credit per day with the maximum of six hours of credit allowed per biennium.
	b. 	Sponsors of multiday conventions shall submit to the board for review and prior approval guidelines for awarding credit for convention attendance.
	25.9(2) Presenters or attendees of table clinics at a meeting.
	a. 	Four hours of credit shall be allowed for presentation of an original table clinic at a meeting as verified by the sponsor when the subject matter conforms with rule 650—25.5(153).
	b. 	Attendees at the table clinic session of a dental, dental hygiene, or dental assisting meeting shall receive two hours of credit as verified by the sponsor when the subject matter conforms with rule 650—25.5(153).
	25.9(3) Postgraduate study relating to health sciences shall receive 15 credits per semester.
	25.9(4) Successful completion of a specialty examination or the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) shall result in 15 hours of credit.
	25.9(5) Self-study activities shall result in a maximum of 12 hours of continuing education credit per biennium.
	25.9(6) An original presentation of continuing dental education shall result in credit double that which the participants receive. Additional credit will not be granted for the repeating of presentations within the biennium. Credit is not given for teaching that represents part of the licensee’s or registrant’s normal academic duties as a full-time or part-time faculty member or consultant.
	25.9(7) Publication of scientific articles in professional journals related to dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting shall result in 5 hours of credit per article with the maximum of 20 hours allowed per biennium.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.10(153) Extensions and exemptions.
	25.10(1) Illness or disability. The board may, in individual cases involving physical disability or illness, grant an exemption of the continuing education requirements or an extension of time within which to fulfill the same or make the required reports. No exemption or extension of time shall be granted unless written application is made on forms provided by the board and signed by the licensee or registrant and a licensed health care professional. Extensions or exemptions of the continuing education requirements may be granted by the board for any period of time not to exceed one calendar year. In the event that the physical disability or illness upon which an exemption has been granted continues beyond the period granted, the licensee or registrant must apply for an extension of the exemption. The board may, as a condition of the exemption, require the applicant to make up a certain portion or all of the continuing education requirements.
	25.10(2) Other extensions or exemptions. Extensions or exemptions of continuing education requirements will be considered by the board on an individual basis. Licensees or registrants will be exempt from the continuing education requirements for:
	a. 	Periods that the person serves honorably on active duty in the military services;
	b. 	Periods that the person practices the person’s profession in another state or district having a continuing education requirement and the licensee or registrant meets all requirements of that state or district for practice therein;
	c. 	Periods that the person is a government employee working in the person’s licensed or registered specialty and assigned to duty outside the United States;
	d. 	Other periods of active practice and absence from the state approved by the board;
	e. 	The current biennium renewal period, or portion thereof, following original issuance of the license;
	f. 	For dental assistants registered pursuant to rule 650—20.7(153), the current biennium renewal period, or portion thereof, following original issuance of the registration.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.11(153) Exemptions for inactive practitioners. No continuing education hours are required to renew a license or registration on inactive status until application for reactivation is made. A licensee or registrant with a license or registration on inactive status is prohibited from practicing unless and until the license or registration is restored to active status.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.12(153) Approval of sponsors.
	25.12(1) An organization or person which desires approval as a sponsor of courses, programs, or other continuing education activities shall apply for approval to the board stating its education history, including approximate dates, subjects offered, total hours of instruction presented, and names and qualifications of instructors. All applications shall be reviewed by the advisory committee on continuing education prior to final approval or denial by the board.
	25.12(2) Prospective sponsors must apply to the board using approved forms in order to obtain approved sponsor status. An application fee as specified in 650—Chapter 15 is required. Sponsors must pay the biennial renewal fee as specified in 650—Chapter 15 and file a sponsor recertification record report biennially.
	25.12(3) The person or organization sponsoring continuing education activities shall make a written record of the Iowa licensees or registrants in attendance, maintain the written record for a minimum of five years, and submit the record upon the request of the board. The sponsor of the continuing education activity shall also provide proof of attendance and the number of credit hours awarded to the licensee or registrant who participates in the continuing education activity.
	25.12(4) Sponsors must be formally organized and adhere to board rules for planning and providing continuing dental education activities. Programs sponsored by individuals or institutions for commercial or proprietary purposes, especially programs in which the speaker advertises or urges the use of any particular dental product or appliance, may be recognized for credit on a prior-approval basis only. When courses are promoted as approved continuing education courses which do not meet the requirements as defined by the board, the sponsor will be required to refund the registration fee to the participants. Approved sponsors may offer noncredit courses provided the participants have been informed that no credit will be given. Failure to meet this requirement may result in loss of approved sponsor status.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.13(153) Review of programs or sponsors. The board on its own motion or at the recommendation of the advisory committee on continuing education may monitor or review any continuing education program or sponsors already approved by the board. Upon evidence of a failure to meet the requirements of rule 650—25.12(153), the board may revoke the approval status of the sponsor. Upon evidence of significant variation in the program presented from the program approved, the board may deny all or any part of the approved hours granted to the program. A provider that wishes to appeal the board’s decision regarding revocation of approval status or denial of continuing education credit shall file an appeal within 30 days of the board’s decision. A timely appeal shall initiate a contested case proceeding. The contested case shall be conducted pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 17A and 650—Chapter 51. The written decision issued at the conclusion of a contested case hearing shall be considered final agency action.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.14(153) Noncompliance with continuing dental education requirements. It is the licensee’s or registrant’s personal responsibility to comply with these rules. The license or registration of individuals not complying with the continuing dental education rules may be subject to disciplinary action by the board or nonrenewal of the license or registration.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
650—25.15(153) Dental hygiene continuing education. The dental hygiene committee, in its discretion, shall make recommendations to the board for approval or denial of requests pertaining to dental hygiene education. The dental hygiene committee may utilize the continuing education advisory committee as needed. The board’s review of the dental hygiene committee recommendation is subject to 650—Chapter 1. The following items pertaining to dental hygiene shall be forwarded to the dental hygiene committee for review.
	1.	Dental hygiene continuing education requirements and requests for approval of programs, activities and sponsors.
	2.	Requests by dental hygienists for waivers, extensions and exemptions of the continuing education requirements.
	3.	Requests for exemptions from inactive dental hygiene practitioners.
	4.	Requests for reinstatement from inactive dental hygiene practitioners.
	5.	Appeals of denial of dental hygiene continuing education and conduct of hearings as necessary.
[ARC 3489C, IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code sections 147.10, 153.15A, and 153.39 and chapter 272C.
[Filed 8/23/78, Notice 6/28/78—published 9/20/78, effective 10/25/78]
[Filed emergency 12/16/83—published 1/4/84, effective 12/16/83]
[Filed emergency 2/24/84 after Notice 1/4/84—published 3/14/84, effective 2/24/84]
[Filed 12/12/85, Notice 9/11/85—published 1/1/86, effective 2/5/86]
[Filed 4/28/88, Notice 3/23/88—published 5/18/88, effective 6/22/88]
[Filed 3/16/90, Notice 12/27/89—published 4/4/90, effective 5/9/90]
[Filed 4/3/91, Notice 2/20/91—published 5/1/91, effective 6/5/91]
[Filed 1/29/93, Notice 11/25/92—published 2/17/93, effective 3/24/93]
[Filed 5/1/97, Notice 2/26/97—published 5/21/97, effective 6/25/97]
[Filed 10/17/97, Notice 8/13/97—published 11/5/97, effective 12/10/97]
[Filed 1/22/99, Notice 11/18/98—published 2/10/99, effective 3/17/99]
[Filed 4/29/99, Notice 3/24/99—published 5/19/99, effective 6/23/99]
[Filed 11/12/99, Notice 8/11/99—published 12/1/99, effective 1/5/00]
[Filed emergency 1/21/00—published 2/9/00, effective 1/21/00]
[Filed 10/23/00, Notice 8/9/00—published 11/15/00, effective 1/1/01]
[Filed 1/18/02, Notice 11/14/01—published 2/6/02, effective 3/13/02]
[Filed 1/18/02, Notice 11/14/01—published 2/6/02, effective 10/1/02]
[Filed emergency 6/21/02—published 7/10/02, effective 7/1/02]
[Filed without Notice 10/24/02—published 11/13/02, effective 12/18/02]
[Filed 7/1/04, Notice 5/12/04—published 7/21/04, effective 8/25/04]
[Filed 9/9/05, Notice 7/20/05—published 9/28/05, effective 11/2/05]
[Filed 4/6/06, Notice 2/15/06—published 4/26/06, effective 7/1/06]
[Filed 2/5/07, Notice 9/27/06—published 2/28/07, effective 4/4/07]
[Filed 2/5/07, Notice 11/22/06—published 2/28/07, effective 4/4/07]
[Filed ARC 8369B (Notice ARC 8044B, IAB 8/12/09), IAB 12/16/09, effective 1/20/10]
[Filed ARC 9218B (Notice ARC 8846B, IAB 6/16/10), IAB 11/3/10, effective 12/8/10]
[Filed ARC 0265C (Notice ARC 0128C, IAB 5/16/12), IAB 8/8/12, effective 9/12/12]
[Filed ARC 3489C (Notice ARC 3157C, IAB 7/5/17), IAB 12/6/17, effective 1/10/18]