In most instances, Kentucky does not require continuing education courses to be individually approved by the Board. For example, any CE obtained for standard dentist or dental hygienist license renewal need only meet the General Continuing Education Requirements. However, outside of general license renewal, some specialty courses do require board approval. The following specialty courses are for practitioners who wish to perform various duties outside the scope of their standard license or registration. Some courses must be specifically reviewed and approved by the Board in advance. Others are acceptable without pre-approval as long as they meet their qualifying conditions.
Specialty Courses Requiring Board Approval
Download the Approved Course List below to see the specific courses that have already been approved for the following categories. Please contact the course provider directly for additional information. Individuals who are interested in a qualifying course that is not on the list should ask the course provider to contact the Board for approval.
License Refresher (for Dentists and Dental Hygienists) - Former licensees who have not practiced in at least two years must take a refresher course before being reinstated to active practice.
Local Anesthesia Refresher (for Dental Hygienists) - Dental hygienists who are registered to administer local anesthesia but have not done so within twelve months must take an approved refresher course to resume this practice. See Special Registration Privileges for complete course requirements.
Medical Emergencies (for Dental Hygienists) - An approved medical emergencies class is required for dental hygienists who wish to be registered in General Supervision or Public Health. See Special Registration Privileges for complete course requirements.
Intravenous Access Lines ( for Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants) - Dental hygienists and registered dental assistants must take an approved course to place IV lines. See Special Registration Privileges for complete course requirements.
Laser Debridement (for Dental Hygienists) - Registration in Laser Debridement requires completion of a Board-approved course. See Special Registration Privileges for complete course requirements.
Specialty Courses Not Requiring Board Approval
Individual courses in the following special privilege categories have certain requirements that must be met but do not specifically require the Board's approval. As long as the necessary conditions are met, the course automatically qualifies.
Coronal Polishing (for Dental Assistants) - Dental assistants must complete an eight-hour course from a dental or dental hygiene school accredited by the Council on Dental Accreditation (CODA) to perform coronal polishing. See Dental Assistants Expanded Duties for complete course details.
Local Anesthesia (for Dental Hygienists) - To be registered to administer local anesthesia, dental hygienists must complete a 46-hour course from a dental or dental hygiene school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). See Special Registration Privileges for complete course requirements.
Moderate and Deep Sedation / General Anesthesia (for Dentists) - Dentists must complete a comprehensive training program and obtain a sedation permit to administer anything stronger than minimal sedation. See Sedation & Anesthesia for complete course requirements.
Radiographic Technique and Safety (for Dental Assistants) - Before taking X-rays, a dental assistant must complete a six-hour course in dental radiography safety and four hours of instruction in dental radiographic technique. See Dental Assistants Expanded Duties for complete course details.