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Dentists & Dental Hygienists
To renew on active status, dentists and dental hygienists must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years or qualify for an exemption. Licensees are also required to complete a minimum of one hour each in the following areas:
- Infection control
- Iowa jurisprudence
- Opioids*
- Sedation**
*Only required for dentists who prescribe opioids within the current renewal period (Sept. 2022 - Aug. 2024).
**Only required for dentists who hold a moderate sedation or general anesthesia permit. This requirement does not apply to dental hygienists.
| Requirement Type | Overview |
|---|---|
| CPR | Required for renewal – can claim up to three hours for completing course.
To be eligible, CPR certification courses must be from nationally-recognized sponsor, and include a "hands-on", clinical component. A CPR course may include an online component provided there is an in-person portion prior to the certification being issued. |
| Infection Control | Must complete a minimum of one hour every two years in the area of infection control standards as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
| Iowa Jurisprudence | Must complete a minimum of one hour every two years in the area of Iowa jurisprudence. |
| Abuse Identification and Reporting Training | Effective July 1, 2019, licensees and registrants who practice in Iowa, must complete training through the Department of Human Services and renew the training every three years thereafter. Credit can be claimed for completing courses.
Mandatory reporter training is available here.
Note: The DHS core training is awarded two hours for each section completed, for a possible total of four hours. |
| Opioids | Dentists who prescribe opioids to patients must complete a minimum of one hour of continuing education in the area of opioids. |
| Sedation | Six hours for dentists who hold a current moderate sedation or general anesthesia or permit. These hours may also be reported towards the hours required for renewal of the dental license.
Please note: This requirement does not apply to local anesthesia permit holders. |
Dental Assistants
To renew on active status, dental assistants must complete 20 hours of hours of continuing education every two years or qualify for an exemption. Registrants are also required to complete a minimum of one hour each in the following areas:
- Infection control
- Iowa jurisprudence
- Dental radiography***
***Only required of dental assistants who hold a qualification in dental radiography.
| Requirement Type | Overview |
|---|---|
| CPR | Required for renewal – can claim up to three hours for completing course.
To be eligible, CPR certification courses must be from nationally-recognized sponsor, and include a "hands-on", clinical component. A CPR course may include an online component provided there is an in-person portion prior to the certification being issued. |
| Infection Control | Must complete a minimum of one hour every two years in the area of infection control standards as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
| Iowa Jurisprudence | Must complete a minimum of one hour every two years in the area of Iowa jurisprudence. |
| Dental Radiography | Dental assistants who hold a radiography qualification (QDA, XDA) must complete a minimum of two hours every two years in the area of dental radiography. |
| Abuse Identification & Reporting Training | Effective July 1, 2019, licensees and registrants who practice in Iowa, must complete training through the Department of Human Services and renew the training every three years thereafter. Credit can be claimed for completing courses.
Mandatory reporter training is available here.
Note: The DHS core training is awarded two hours for each section completed, for a possible total of four hours. |