Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM
Title 172 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE
Chapter 57 - LICENSURE OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS
Section 172-57-006 - CONTINUING EDUCATION
Universal Citation: 172 NE Admin Rules and Regs ch 57 ยง 006
Current through September 17, 2024
On or before March 1 of each odd-numbered year, each dental hygienist holding an active license must complete at least 30 hours of acceptable continuing education hours during the preceding 24-month period. Each licensee is responsible for maintaining certificates or records of continuing education.
006.01 ACCEPTABLE CONTINUING EDUCATION TOPICS AND ACTIVITIES. The following are acceptable continuing education topics and activities:
(A) Attendance at meetings of the local, state, or national American Dental Association or local, state, or national American Dental Hygiene Association; local, state, or national American Dental Assistants Association; or educational programs sponsored by the recognized specialty groups in dentistry of the American Dental Association;
(B) Attendance at district meetings and study clubs;
(C) Formal education courses which relate directly to the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene;
(D) College or University-sponsored courses in continuing education in dentistry or dental hygiene;
(E) Licensee acting as table clinician or lecturer to licensed dentists, licensed dental hygienists, licensed or unlicensed dental assistants or licensee attending table clinics;
(F) Home study with a testing mechanism. If there is not a testing mechanism or certificate of completion, the licensee must submit an abstract or summary of the material covered to the Board of Dentistry. The abstract or summary must be written by only the licensee and will be reviewed. Interactive webinars which include the ability of the participant to interact with the presenter are not considered home study;
(G) Direct clinical observation;
(H) Initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification or cardiopulmonary resuscitation recertification;
(I) Faculty overseeing dental clinic education of students;
(J) Dental public health continuing education;
(K) Ethics and professionalism continuing education;
(L) Well-being or substance abuse continuing education;
(M) Infection control continuing education;
(N) Practice management continuing education;
(O) Presentation or development of a continuing education program for dental hygienists by a licensee;
(P) Expanded functions for which the licensee holds a permit; or
(Q) Participating in a volunteer activity such as Mission of Mercy or equivalent.
006.02 NO PRE-APPROVAL. The Board of Dentistry does not pre-approve continuing education programs or activities.
006.03 CONTINUING EDUCATION CRITERIA. To be considered acceptable for continuing education, the activity must meet the following criteria:
(A) Be at least 50 minutes in duration;
(B) Objectives must relate to the practice of dental hygiene;
(C) Presenters must be qualified by education, experience, or training;
(D) Must be open to all licensed dental hygienists who meet the pre-requisites for the activity; and
(E) The provider must have a process for verifying attendance and issue a certificate of attendance for each participant. Each certificate must include the following:
(i) Program name;
(ii) Name of the participant and the participant's license number;
(iii) Provider's name;
(iv) Dates the activity began and ended; and
(v) Number of hours attended by the licensee.
006.04 CRITERIA FOR A HOME STUDY PROGRAM. To be considered acceptable for continuing education, a home study program must meet the following criteria;
(A) Objectives must relate to the practice of dental hygiene;
(B) Must have a post-test or other method of assessment which verifies that the licensee completed the program; and
(C) The authors(s) or developer(s) of the program must meet the following qualifications:
(i) Experience in the content and subject matter of the program;
(ii) Expertise in teaching and instructional methods suitable to the subject presented; and
(iii) Suitable academic qualifications, certification credentials, or experience for or in the subject of the program.
006.05 CREDIT HOUR CALCULATIONS. Credits earned in excess of thirty hours in a 24-month renewal period do not carry over into the following period. A dental hygienist may receive credit for acceptable continuing education activities, subject to the credit number limitations and requirements set out below:
(A) A maximum of 10 hours each in a renewal period may be obtained through home study or for initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification;
(B) A maximum of 2 hours each in a renewal period may be obtained as a table clinician or lecturer or for direct clinical observation;
(C) A maximum of 4 hours each in a renewal period may be obtained for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) re-certification or practice management continuing education;
(D) A maximum of 5 hours each in a renewal period may be obtained for faculty overseeing student dental hygiene or expanded function dental hygiene clinics, dental public health continuing education activities, well-being or substance abuse continuing education activities or ethics and professionalism continuing education;
(E) A minimum of 2 hours in a renewal period must be obtained in infection control continuing education;
(F) A minimum of 2 hours in a renewal period must be obtained in each area for which a licensee holds an expanded function permit;
(G) A licensee who is a presenter of a continuing education program may receive a maximum of 2 hours for the creation of a presentation, and a maximum of 2 hours for the initial presentation of the program during a renewal period. Credit will not be given to the licensee for subsequent presentations of the same program; or
(H) A maximum of 5 hours in a renewal period for participating in a volunteer activity such as Mission of Mercy or equivalent.
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