Do I Need Dental Continuing Education (CE) Courses?

Dentistry is a rapidly evolving profession, and new techniques and technologies are introduced into the industry daily. If you want to stay current in the dentistry, your education can’t stop with your degree.

So how can you keep ahead of the changes? The answer is simple: take some dental continuing education courses. These courses, offered online and offline, are crucial to your success as a modern dental professional. Plus, they’re required to renew your dental hygienist license!

Why Should I Take a CE Course?

Beyond the skills you’ll learn through CE courses, CE courses are necessary training in your state. Some states also require extra CE courses should you decide to work beyond normal job functions or if you choose to specialize in a particular area. The next step in your career could hinge on a CE course — so if you want to maintain a longterm career in dentistry, CE courses are something you absolutely can’t skip.

CE classes may also be the catalyst for landing a new job. Dentistry has never been more competitive; with a steady influx of new dental professionals, more public forums on healthcare, and the benefits of working in dentistry becoming more well known, the job market is booming. CE classes will help you stand out from other candidates, and show your potential employer that you’re ready to perform.

Where Can I Take CE Courses?

CE courses are available in a variety of places and cover a variety of topics. Like most extended learning, some courses may require a fee and some may not. If you’ve already got an account on DentalPost, you can jump right into CE courses here at DentalPost!

From dental coding to effective hand hygiene mastery, every course is focused on bettering a certain skill applicable to dentistry or to ensure you’re up-to-date on new techniques. Before you take a course, be sure to take a look at your state’s specific CE requirements and choose the courses most relevant to your licensure.

How Often Should I Take CE Courses?

As mentioned above, CE courses are required to renew your license. You should pay attention to the cycle length and the dates of your renewal as noted by your state. These are important to staying on track and keeping your license in compliance, and can easily be checked on the ADA.org website.

You should also make sure you meet the hours requirements; it often isn’t enough to just take one course per cycle! A great way to ensure you meet all of the requirements in time is to pre-scheduling classes in advance; just be sure to look at the start times of your classes if applicable.

The Importance of Dental Continuing Education Courses

While jumping back into classes may feel daunting at first, CE is an important (and required) part of dentistry, so you should learn to work it into your career. Don’t wait to take required CE courses that could help you reach your professional goals or keep you from keeping your license!

If you have questions about CE or want to see what courses are currently available, browse our CE classes or feel free to contact us on Facebook!