Credentials and education
Continuing education
Continuing education is the coursework dentists complete after licensure to keep their knowledge and skills current and to meet license renewal rules set by their state.
ADA CERP defines continuing dental education as educational activities that maintain, develop or increase the knowledge, skills and professional performance a dentist uses to serve patients, the public or the profession.
States set their own renewal rules. Missouri law says a dentist must show proof of fifty hours of continuing education during the two-year period before renewal. The dentist must also keep records of completion.
Course quality varies, so many dentists look for programs reviewed by groups such as ADA CERP or PACE. Each approved hour is often called a CE credit. Always check the state board for current limits on online and self-study hours.