Credential Requirements and Recommendations
Continuing Dental Education is required to maintain licensure and certification as a Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, or Dentist. These requirements vary by state. Additionally, the IHS Division of Oral Health (DOH) maintains recommendations for working in an IHS-associated dental practice.
Division of Oral Health (DOH) Recommendations
The DOH strongly recommends that you take the following courses during your first year of service with the Indian Health Service.
Dental Assistants
New Dental Assistants are recommended to take the following two (2) courses:
- Orientation to Dental Assisting
- Basic Radiology for Dental Staff / Radiology for Dental Staff
Dental Hygienists
- Challenges for IHS Dental Hygienists
Dentists
New Dentists are recommended to take the following course:
- Challenges in an IHS Dental Practice
State Licensure Requirements
The IHS Division of Oral Health is an ADA CERP recognized Provider
The American Dental Association (ADA) web site provides an Interactive Map and Dental Licensure Dashboard by state.
Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Requirements
The AGD web site provides information on fellowship and mastership in the Academy. Membership in the AGD requires 75 hours of continuing education every three years.
Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Requirements
The DANB web site provides a list of National Recertification Guidelines .
DANB Approval indicates that a continuing education course appears to meet certain specifications as describe in the DANB Recertification Guidelines. DANB does not, however, endorse or recommend any particular continuing education course and is not responsible for the quality of any course content.
