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New Changes for License Renewal in 2023

From Bill Claytor

New Mental Health CE Requirement

(Required CE from the NC State Board of Dental Examiners for dentists and dental hygienists once every 2 years)

Mental health issues are often viewed as isolated events in an individual while often associated with the individual as being “weak” or not able to stand the pressure. Drug and alcohol problems are often thought of as separate issues from mental health maladies while in fact nothing may be further from the truth. Often stressors can lead to mental health issues or use of drugs and alcohol or BOTH. Mental health illnesses can also lead to drug/alcohol abuse and drug/alcohol abuse can also lead to mental health illnesses.

Stress, anxiety, depression, and professional burnout, in conjunction with workforce shortages, can all contribute to and magnify the difficulties in today’s treatment environment to varying degrees causing fear and uneasiness.

Apparently, the major medical/disease impact Covid had on our society is for the most part behind us. However, all signs indicate that the impact Covid had and continues to have on our mental health may be just starting to manifest itself and may continue with us for some time in the foreseeable future.

Bill Claytor DDS, MAGD

NCCDP, Executive Director

Below are the new requirements (ncdentalboard.org) stated from the NC State Board of Dental Examiners for the new substance abuse and mental health course.

Current dental and dental hygiene licensees must now complete a one-hour continuing education course every two years on the subject of substance abuse and mental health.

Dental: 21 NCAC 16R .0206

21 NCAC 16R .0206 is adopted as published in 36:22 NCR 1800 as follows:

21 NCAC 16R .0206 CONTINUING EDUCATION ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

  • Every two calendar years, each dentist shall complete one clock hour of continuing education on substance abuse and mental health. To count toward this requirement, the course shall be:
    • designed to address relevant issues for dental professionals, including substance abuse, chemical dependency, impairment, and mental health disorders; and
    • offered by a Board-approved sponsor as set out in Rule .0202(b) of this Section.
  • The continuing education requirement set out in Paragraph (a) of this Rule may be completed through a self-study course that satisfies Subparagraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this Rule. The dentist shall pass a test administered by the self-study course sponsor and obtain a certificate of completion from the sponsor.
  • Every two calendar years, a dentist may apply one clock hour of a course meeting the requirements of this Rule toward the total number of continuing education hours required pursuant to Rule .0201(a) of this Section.
  • The substance abuse and mental health continuing education requirement shall not replace or substitute for the 15 controlled substance continuing education requirement set out in Rule .0201(b) of this Section.

History Note:

Authority G.S. 90-28; 90-31.1;

Eff. October 1, 2022.

and

Hygiene: 21 NCAC 16I .0206

21 NCAC 16I .0206 is adopted as published in 36:22 NCR 1799-1800 as follows:

21 NCAC 16I .0206 CONTINUING EDUCATION ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

  • Every two calendar years, each dental hygienist shall complete one clock hour of continuing education on substance abuse and mental health. To count toward this requirement, the course shall be:
    • designed to address relevant issues for dental professionals, including substance abuse, chemical dependency, impairment, and mental health disorders; and
    • offered by a Board-approved sponsor as set out in Rule .0202(b) of this Section.
  • The continuing education requirement set out in Paragraph (a) of this Rule may be completed through a self-study course that satisfies Subparagraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this Rule. The dental hygienist shall pass a test administered by the self-study course sponsor and obtain a certificate of completion from the sponsor.
  • (c) Every two calendar years, a dental hygienist may apply one clock hour of a course meeting the requirements of this Rule toward the total number of continuing education hours required pursuant to Rule .0201(a) of this Section.

History Note:

Authority G.S. 90-223; 90-225.1;

Eff. October 1, 2022.

Please go to ncdentalboard.org for further details.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions and concerns.

Thank you!

Bill Claytor