Online Continuing Education (CE) for Dentists

Online continuing education for dentists is available from many different institutions, and may cover a variety of subjects depending upon purpose. Most continuing education courses are designed to prepare dentists for licensing examinations and fulfill continuing education requirements for licensure.

Availability and Purpose for Online Continuing Dental Education

Online continuing education courses for dentists are available from many different institutions, fulfilling a variety of purposes and satisfying continuing education requirements for dentists. Often, CE programs are designed to help dentists meet state licensing requirements for continuing education. These requirements vary by state and because dentists may also have to sit for periodic examinations to retain their licenses, these courses may be designed to give dentists the knowledge to pass re-licensing examinations.
There are often two other main purposes behind continuing education courses for dentists, one of which is to emphasize and explore non-dental issues that dentists may encounter in the course of their practices, such as HIV/AIDS, domestic abuse, treatment of medical emergencies, ethics, law and risk management. Finally, dentists may use continuing education to expand their knowledge and areas of practice by completing certificates in subjects such as esthetic dentistry.

Course Format and Structure for Online Continuing Dental Education

Depending on the type of course, online continuing education for dentists may be similar to other online classes, providing education software with a web interface for students to log into from whatever Internet connection they choose. Communication is normally handled via forums, email and instant messenger, but sometimes includes the options of voice or teleconferencing. Education portal software also often includes the capability to administer tests and grade some types of assignments in real time.
Continuing education courses often have no solid deadlines for student assignments, or only an end-of-term deadline at which time all work must be submitted. This allows working adults to complete these courses at their own pace. Depending on subject matter and format, however, courses may require a more solid schedule. Video conference courses that involve new dental techniques and technology, for example, may have more defined schedules.