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Mandatory Continuing Dental Education Regulations (Regulation 9)
made under subsection 45 (1) of the
Dental Act
S.N.S. 1992, c. 3
O.I.C. 94-486 (June 7, 1994), N.S. Reg. 97/941 In this regulation
(a) "Act" means the Dental Act, S.N.S. 1992, c. 3, as amended;
(b) "Board" means the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia;
(c) "Committee" means the Continuing Dental Education Committee;
(d) "Registrar" means the Registrar of the Board.
2 This regulation is made by the Board pursuant to clause (j) of subsection (1) of Section 45 of the Act.
3 (1) Every licensed dentist is required to obtain ninety credit hours of continuing dental education during each three year cycle established by the Committee pursuant to clause (b) of Section 7 of this regulation.
(2) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), any licensed dentist who fails to complete the requirements of subsection (1) shall be ineligible for license renewal until such licensed dentist has obtained the required credit hours to meet the requirements of subsection (1).
(3) A licensed dentist who has not completed the requirements of subsection (1) may be eligible for license renewal by successfully completing the National Dental Examining Board examinations for dentists. Such examination may be taken at any regular examination time during the three year cycle but no later than the last regular examination time during the three year cycle.
(4) In extraordinary circumstances the Committee may extend the time for a licensed dentist to complete the requirements of subsection (1).
4 (1) Every licensed dental hygienist is required to obtain forty-five credit hours of continuing dental education during each three year cycle.
(2) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), any licensed dental hygienist who fails to complete the requirements of subsection (1) shall be ineligible for license renewal until such licensed dental hygienist has obtained the required credit hours to meet the requirements of subsection (1).
(3) A licensed dental hygienist who has not completed the requirements of subsection (1) may be eligible for license renewal if the licensed dental hygienist has completed during the three year cycle clinical and written examinations set by the Board.
(4) In extraordinary circumstances the Committee may extend the time for a licensed dental hygienist to complete the requirements of subsection (1).
5 (1) Every licensed dental assistant is required to obtain thirty-six credit hours of continuing dental education during each three year cycle.
(2) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), any licensed dental assistant who fails to complete the requirements of subsection (1) shall be ineligible for license renewal until such licensed dental assistant has obtained the required credit hours to meet the requirements of subsection (1).
(3) A licensed dental assistant who has not completed the requirements of subsection (1) may be eligible for license renewal if the licensed dental assistant has completed during the three year cycle clinical and written examinations set by the Board.
(4) In extraordinary circumstances the Committee may extend the time for a licensed dental assistant to complete the requirements of subsection (1).
6 (1) The Board shall appoint a Continuing Dental Education Committee consisting of eight members, as follows:
(a) three licensed dentists;
(b) two licensed dental hygienists;
(c) two licensed dental assistants;
(d) the Registrar.
(2) The Board shall consult with the Nova Scotia Dental Association, Nova Scotia Dental Hygienists' Association and Nova Scotia Dental Assistants' Association in making appointments to the Committee.
(3) The term of members of the Committee shall be two years and the appointments shall be staggered to permit continuity.
(4) The Board may appoint any member for two additional consecutive two year terms.
(5) The Board shall appoint one of the licensed dentists to be Chairperson of the Committee who shall be entitled to vote on all matters before the Committee.
(6) In absence of the Chairperson, the other members may appoint one of the other licensed dentists to act as Chairperson of any meeting of the Committee.
(7) The quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be five.
7 The Committee shall
(a) establish and administer the mandatory continuing dental education program in accordance with guidelines established from time to time by the Board;
(b) determine when each three year cycle begins;
(c) approve continuing dental education courses and assign credits to such courses;
(d) encourage sponsoring agencies to offer a sufficient number and variety of continuing dental education courses;
(e) cooperate with organized groups within dentistry with regard to continuing dental education requirements;
(f) determine the reporting and verification procedures for licensed dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants participating in the mandatory continuing dental education program;
(g) report annually to the Board, the Nova Scotia Dental Association, the Nova Scotia Dental Hygienists' Association and the Nova Scotia Dental Assistants' Association respecting the mandatory continuing dental education program;
(h) impose other requirements for the proper operation of the mandatory continuing dental education program.
8 The Registrar shall
(a) maintain the records of the mandatory continuing dental education program;
(b) serve as the administrator of the mandatory continuing dental education program.
9 Any licensed dentist, dental hygienist or dental assistant who is in dispute with the Committee with respect to the continuing dental education credits recorded for such person may appeal the matter to the Board and the finding of the Board shall be final and binding.