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Board of Dentistry

Licensure

Licensure Information

 

Educational Programs

Educational Programs

DENTAL SCHOOLS IN TENNESSEE

Programs Accredited by the American Dental Association's (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation:

Tennessee Board Approved Programs and Courses:

ADA Accredited Dental Schools

University of Tennessee Memphis
College of Dentistry
875 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-6200
E-mail Address: lshook@uthsc.edu

Meharry Medical College
School of Dentistry
1005 D. B. Todd, Jr. Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 327-6207

ADA Accredited Dental Hygiene Programs

Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37406-1097
Program Director: Dr. J. Hartly Varnell
Phone: (423) 697- 4768
Website: www.chattanoogastate.edu/allied_health/dental_hygiene/

Concorde Career College/Memphis
5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 132
Memphis, TN 38137
Program Director: Ms. Lynn Russell
Phone: 901-761-9494
Website: www.concorde.edu/program/dental-hygiene

East Tennessee State University
Dental Hygiene Dept., Lamb Hall, Room 70
P.O. Box 70690
Johnson City, TN 37614-0690
Program Director: Dr. Deborah Dotson
Phone: 423-439-5232
Website: www.etsu.edu/crhs/alliedhealth/dhyg

Hiwassee College
Hiwassee College
225 Hiwassee College Dr.
Madisonville, TN 37354
Program Director: Ms. Leslie Barkley
Phone: 423-420-1919
Website: hiwassee.edu/academics/programs/dental-hygiene-program/

Remington College - Nashville Campus
441 Donelson Pike - Suite 150
Nashville, TN 37214
Program Director: Ms. Ann Dickinson
Phone: 615-889-5520
Website: www.remingtoncollege.edu/dental-hygiene-schools/

Roane State Community College
701 Briarcliff Avenue
Oak Ridge, TN 37830-8795
Program Director: Melinda Gill, RDH, BSDH, MPA
Phone: 865-481-2000 X2128
Website: www.roanestate.edu/?127-Dental-Hygiene

Tennessee State University
3500 John A Merritt Blvd
Nashville, TN 37209-1561
Program Director: Dr. Marian Williams Patton
Phone: (615) 963-5801
Website: www.tnstate.edu/dentalhygiene/

University of Tennessee College of Allied Health
930 Madison Avenue, Suite 600
Memphis, TN 38163
Program Director: Dr. Cassandra Holder-Ballard
Phone: 901-448-6230
Website: www.uthsc.edu/allied/dh/

ADA Accredited Dental Assistant Programs

(These programs also qualify graduates for dental radiology certification)

Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37406-1097
(423) 697-4474
E-mail Address: karen.castleberry@chattanoogastate.edu

Concorde Career Institute
5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 132
Memphis, TN 38137
(901) 761-9494
Fax : (901) 761-3293

Kaplan Career Institute
750 Envious Lane
Nashville, TN  37217
(615) 279-8321

Northeast State Technical Community College
Regional Center for Health Professions
300 W. Main St.
Kingsport, TN 37660
(423) 354-5501
www.northeaststate.edu

Tennessee Technology Center at Dickson
740 Highway 46 South
Dickson, TN  37055
(615) 441-6220

Tennessee Technology Center at Knoxville
1100 Liberty Street
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 546-5567 ext. 131

Tennessee Technology Center at Memphis
550 Alabama Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105-3604
(901) 543-6143

Tennessee Technology Center at Murfreesboro
1303 Old Fort Parkway
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(615) 898-8010

Volunteer State Community College
1480 Nashville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066
(615) 741-3215 ext. 3439

Western Kentucky Community & Technical College
4810 Alben Backley Drive
Paducah, KY 42002
(270) 554-9200

 

ADA Accredited Specialty Programs for Dentists

Meharry Medical College
School of Dentistry
1005 D.B. Todd Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37208
E-mail Address: meharrymedicalcollege@ccvax.mmc.edu
Specialties: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

University of Tennessee Memphis
College of Dentistry
875 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38163
Specialties: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pedodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics

University of Tennessee Medical Center
1924 Alcoa Highway
Box 94
Knoxville, Tn 37920-1514
Specialties: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1500 21st Avenue South, Suite 3300
Nashville, TN 37212-8224
E-mail Address: pattie.davis@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
Specialties: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics

Dental Assistant Registration Programs

(These programs also qualify graduates for dental radiology certification)

6th District Dental Society
Maury Regional Hospital
1204 Confederate Drive
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-6463

Advanced Dental Assistant School
202 C North Main Str.
Ashland City, TN 37015
615-349-5531

Anthem Career College - Nashville
560 Royal Parkway
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 902-9705

Chattanooga College Medical, Dental
& Technical Careers
3805 Brainerd Road
Chattanooga, TN 37411
(423) 624-0077

Daymar Institute - Nashville
340 Plus Park Blvd.
Nashville, TN  37217
(615) 361-7555

Daymar Institute - Murfreesboro
415 Golden Bear Court
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
(615) 217-9347

Daymar Institute - Clarksville
1860 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard
Clarksville, TN 37040
(931) 552-7600

Dental Assistant for Today
Western Kentucky University
Continuing Education
2355 Nashville Road
Bowling Green, KY 42101-4144
270-745-1912
http://www.wku.edu/continuinged/dental/

Dental Learning Center
2007 Five Oaks Drive
Maryville, TN 37801
865-599-3034

Dental Learning Center (Second location)
121 South Washington Ave.
Cookeville, TN 38501
865-599-3034

Dental Staff School at Knoxville
1001 Date Lane #106
Knoxville, TN 37932
www.dentalstaffschool.com
1-800-307-0320

Dental Staff School of Tennessee
4085 Mallory Lane
Franklin, TN 37067
www.dentalstaffschooltn.com
615-707-2513

Dobyns-Bennett Adult Education Program
1701 E. Center Street
Kingsport, TN 37663
(423) 378-2130

E.W. Professional Career Training Center
Chattanooga Area Dental Society
6425 Bonny Oaks Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37416-3537
(423) 892-2223
www.familydentistrytn.com

Horizon Schools of Dental Assisting
6687 East Tenby Drive
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
928-830-4557
(Tennessee location will be added when available)

Miller-Motte Tech College
6020 Shallowford Road
Chattanooga, TN  37421
Contact: June Kearns
(423) 510-9675

 Remington College
441 Donelson Pike, Suite 150
Nashville, TN  37214
(615) 889-5520
www.remingtoncollege.edu

Ross Medical Education Center
3021 E. Oakland Avenue
Johnson City, TN  37601
(opening late summer/early fall 2013)
1-800-833-7677
Ross Medical Education Center

Science Hill Adult Technology Center
422 Oak Glen Circle
Fall Branch, TN 37656
(423) 232-2201

Tennessee Technology Center at Knoxville
1100 Liberty Street
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 546-5567 ext. 141

Tennessee Technology Center at Livingston
740 High Tech Drive
P.O. Box 219
Livingston, TN 38570
(931) 823-5525

Tennessee Technology Center at Nashville
100 White Bridge Road
Nashville, TN 37209
615-425-5500

Tennessee Technology Center at Newbern
340 Washington Street
Newbern, TN 38059
(901) 627-2511

Tennessee Technology Center at Paris
312 S. Wilson Street
Paris, TN 38242
(731) 644-7365

Tennessee Technology Center at Pulaski
1233 E. College Street
Pulaski, TN 37478
(931) 424-4014 ext. 102

Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville
1405 Madison Street
Shelbyville, TN 37183
(931) 684-3878
(931) 685-5013

Walters State Community College
1720 Old Newport Hwy
Sevierville, TN 37876
(865)774-5852

Washington County Skill Center
848 Thompson Drive
Abingdon, VA  24210
(276) 676-1948

For Dentists to Qualify for the Linited Conscious Sedation Permit

Anxiolysis and Moderate Sedation:  Enteral Modalities
Contact Information:
American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
211 East Chicago Ave., Suite 70
Chicago, IL 60611
(877) 255-3742
www.adsahome.org

Enteral Sedation and Dental Office Emergencies: A Comprehensive Review
Contact Information:
David Canfield, D.D.S., F.A.D.S.A.
(214) 384-0796
or
Baylor College of Dentistry
Office of Continuing Education
(214) 828-8318

DOCS "Complex Sedation Patient - 20 Hours Live!"  or DOCS "Complex Sedation Patient -
27 Hours Live!"  or Anxiolysis-Beyond Valium and Adult Oral Sedation or Oral Sedation Dentistry
Contact Information:
DOCS Education (formally The Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation)
12360 Lake City Way Ste. 500
Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 812-7736
www.sedationdocs.com/docs/home.asp

Director of Education: Coni Fadigan ext 101 coni@sedation1.com

Administrator: Jennifer Osinski ext 102 jenn@sedation1.com

For Dentists to Qualify for the Comprehensive Conscious Sedation Permit

Conscious Patient Management with IV and Nitrous Sedation in General Dentistry
Contact Information:
Richard Kraut, D.D.S., Chairman
Montefiore Medical Center
Department of Dentistry
111 East 210th Street
Bronx, NY  10467-2490
(718) 920-4984
(718) 515-5419
rkraut@montefiore.org

Intravenous Conscious Sedation
Contact Information:
Medical College of Georgia
Continuing Dental Education
Alumni Center
919 15th St, Augusta
Augusta, GA 30912
706-721-3967 office
800-221-6437 office
706-721-4642 fax

Intravenous Conscious Sedation
Contact Information:
University of Southern California
School of Dentistry
Department of Continuing Dental Education
925 West 34th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641
(213) 740-1590
www.usc.edu/hsc/dental 

Medical Emergencies, Local Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation in Dental Practice
Contact Information:
Ms. Dedra Chinn
Department of Medical Education
Miami Valley Hospital
1 Wyoming Street
Dayton, OH 45409
(937) 208-3844
dlchinn@mvh.org
Also meets requirements for pediatric sedation training

Mini-Residency: An Intensive Course in Conscious Sedation
Contact Information:
Donna G. Thompson
Continuing Dental Education
UAB School of Dentistry
(205) 934-3753
(205) 975-9651 Fax
dgt@uab.edu
Also meets requirements for pediatric sedation training

Parenteral Conscious Sedation
Contact Information:
David Crystal, D.D.S.
American Society for the Advancement of Anesthesia and Sedation in Dentistry
6 East Union Ave.
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
(732) 469-9050 (732) 271-1985 Fax

Parenteral Moderate Sedation        
Oregon Academy of General Dentistry
1730 Southwest Harbor Way, Suite 502
Portland, OR 97201
503-228-6266
www.oragd.org

Parenteral Sedation Program for Dentists   
Conscious Sedation Consulting
692 Salt Lick Road
St. Peters, MO 63376
888-581-4448
www.SedationConsulting.com


Coronal Polishing Courses for Dental Assistants

Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37406
423-697-4481
Approval expires 12/31/13

Concorde Career College
5100 Poplar Ave. Suite 132
Memphis, TN 38137
(901) 761-9494
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Coronal Polishing Certification Program
601 NW Atlantic St. Suite A
Tullahoma, TN 37388
(931) 455-8348
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dental Pro ED
P.O. Box 332604
Murfreesboro, TN 37133
615-605-9124
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dental Staff School of Knoxville
1001 Date Lane Suite 106
Knoxville, TN 37932
678-819-3919
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dental Staff School of Tennessee 
4085 Mallory Lane, Suite 116 
Franklin, TN 37067 
615-707-2513
Approval expires:  12/31/13

Dentedonline
P.O. Box 21763
Chattanooga, TN 37424
(423) 544-3596
dent-ed-online.com
Approval expires: 12/31/13

E. W. Professional Career Training Center
6425 Bonny Oak Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37416
423-892-3545
Approval expires 12/31/13

Eighth District Dental Society
2088 Lowe’s Drive, Suite C
Clarksville,TN 37040
(931)648-3233
Approval expires 12/31/13

Excel Dental Training Institute, Inc
907 Rivergate Pkwy #E6
(615) 812-1726
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
Approval Expires 12/31/13

Kaplan Career Institute-Nashville
750 Envious Lane
Nashville, TN 37217
615-279-8300
Expires 12/31/13

Tennessee Technology Center at Knoxville
1100 Liberty Street
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 546-5567
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Tennessee Technology Center  at Nashville
100 White Bridge Road
Nashville, TN 37209
615-425-5500
Approval expires:  12/31/13

University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
875 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-5386
http://uthsc.edu/
Approval expires: 12/31/13

University of TN Health Science Center - Dept. of Dental Hygiene
930 Madison Ave., Suite 600
Memphis, TN 38163
901-448-6230
Approval expires:  12/31/13

Sealant Application Courses for Dental Assistants

Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Hwy.
Chattanooga, TN 37406
(423) 697-4474
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Dental Pro ED
P.O. Box 332604
Murfreesboro, TN 37133
615-605-9124
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dental Staff School of Knoxville
1001 Date Lane Suite 106
Knoxville, TN 37932
678-819-3919
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dental Staff School of Tennessee
4085 Mallory Lane Suite 116
Franklin, TN 37067
615-707-2513
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dentedonline
P.O. Box 21763
Chattanooga, TN 37424
423-544-3596
dent-ed-online.com
Approval expires: 12/31/13

E. W. Professional Career Training Center
6425 Bonny Oak Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37416
423-892-3545
Approval expires 12/31/13

Eighth District Dental Society
2088 Lowe’s Drive, Suite C
Clarksville, TN 37040
(931) 648-3233
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Excel Dental Training Institute, Inc
907 Rivergate Pkwy. #E6
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
(615) 812-1726
Approval expires 12/31/12

Kaplan Career Institute-Nashville
750 Envious Lane
Nashville, TN 37217
615-279-8300
Expires 12/31/13

Northeast State Technical Community College
Regional Center for Health Professions
300 W. Main St.
Kingsport, TN 37660
(423) 354-5501
www.northeaststate.edu
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Sealant Application Certification  Program
601 North West Atlantic Street,  Suite A
Tullohoma, TN 37388
931-455-8348
Approval expires 12/31/13

Tennessee Technology Center at Knoxville
1100 Liberty Street
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 546-5567 
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Tennessee Technology Center of Nashville
100 White Bridge Road
Nashville, TN 37209
615-425-5500
Approval expires:  12/31/13

University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
875 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-5386
http://uthsc.edu/
Approval expires: 12/31/13

University of TN Health Science Center - Dept. of Dental Hygiene
930 Madison Ave., Suite 600
Memphis, TN 38163
901-448-6230
Approval expires:  12/31/13

Administration and Monitoring Nitrous Oxide Courses for Dental Hygienists

Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37406 
423-697-4768
Approval expires:  12/31/13

Dentedonline
P.O. Box 21763
Chattanooga, TN 37424 
(423) 544-3596
dent-ed-online.com
Approval expires:  12/31/13

Eighth District Dental Society
2088 Lowe’s Drive, Suite C
Clarksville, TN 37040
(931) 648-3233
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Excel Dental Training Institute, Inc
907 Rivergate Pkwy. #E6
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
(615) 812-1726
Approval Expires 12/31/13

Hiwassee College - Dental Hygiene Program
225 Hiwassee College Drive  
Madisonville, TN 37354
423-420-1919
Approval expires:  12/31/13

Interfaith Dental Clinic
1721 Patterson Street
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 329-4790
www.interfaithdentalclinic.com
Approval expires:  12/31/13

Nitrous Oxide Administration & Monitoring Nitrous Oxide Certification Course
601 N. W. Atlantic St., Suite A
Tullahoma, TN 37388
931-455-8348
Approval expires:  12/31/13

Northeast Mississippi Community College
101 Cunningham Blvd
Booneville, MS 38829
662-720-7283
Expires 12/31/13

Remington College-Dental Hygiene
441 Donelson Pike, Suite 150
Nashville, TN 37214
615-493-9356
Expires 12/31/13

University of Tennessee Health Science Center/Dept. of Dental Hygiene
930 Madison Avenue, Suite 600
Memphis, TN 38163
901-448-6230
Approval expires 12/31/13

University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
875 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-5386
http://uthsc.edu/
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Monitoring Nitrous Oxide Courses for Dental Assistants

Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Hwy.
Chattanooga, TN 37406
(423) 697-4474
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Dental Learning Center @ Maryville
2007 Five Oak Drive
Maryville, TN 37801
(865) 599-3034
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dental Pro ED
P.O. Box 332604
Murfreesboro, TN 37133
615-605-9124
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dental Staff School of Knoxville
1001 Date Lane Suite 106
Knoxville, TN 37932
678-819-3919
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dental Staff School of Tennessee
4085 Mallory Lane Suite 116
Franklin, TN 37067
615-707-2513
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dentedonline
P.O. Box 21763
Chattanooga, TN 37424
(423) 544-3596
dent-ed-online.com
Approval expires:  12/31/13

E. W. Professional Career Training Center
6425 Bonny Oak Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37416
423-892-3545
Approval expires 12/31/13

Eighth District Dental Society
2088 Lowe’s Drive, Suite C
Clarksville, TN 37040
(931) 648-3233
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Excel Dental Training Institute, Inc
907 Rivergate Pkwy. #E6
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
(615) 812-1726
Approval expires 12/31/13

Interfaith Dental Clinic
1721 Patterson Street
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 329-4790
www.interfaithdentalclinic.com
Approval expires:  12/31/13

Kaplan Career Institute-Nashville
750 Envious Lane
Nashville, TN 37217
615-279-8300
Expires 12/31/13

Jackson Area Dental Certifications
1520 Cherry Creek Cove
Henderson, TN 38340
(731) 989-2763
Approval expires 12/31/13

Nitrous Oxide Monitoring Certification Program
601 North West Atlantic Street, Suite A
Tullahoma, TN 37388
(931) 455-8348
Approval expires 12/31/13

Northeast State Technical Community College
Regional Center for Health Professions
300 W. Main St.
Kingsport, TN 37660
(423) 354-5501
www.northeaststate.edu
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Tennessee Technology Center at Knoxville
1100 Liberty Street
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 546-5567 ext. 141
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Tennessee Technology Center of Nashville
100 White Bridge Road
Nashville, TN 37209
615-425-5500
Approval expires:  12/31/13

University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
875 Union Avenue, Room C106A
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-5386
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Volunteer State Community College
1480 Nashville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066
(615) 230-3439
Approval expires: 12/31/13

 

Restorative Function Courses for Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants

University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
Continuing Dental Education
875 Union Avenue, Room C106A
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-5386
Approval expires:  12/31/14

Prosthetic Function Courses for Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants

University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
Continuing Dental Education
875 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-5386
Approval expires:  12/31/14

Administration of Local Anesthesia Courses for Dental Hygienists

Chattanooga State Community College                
4501 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37406
(423) 697-4768
Approval expires: 12/31/14

Dentedonline
P.O. Box 21763
Chattanooga, TN 37424 
(423) 544-3596
dent-ed-online.com
Approval expires:  12/31/13

East Tennessee State University - Dental Hygiene Program
P.O. Box 70690
Johnson City, TN 37614
(423) 439-4537 or (423)439-4497
Approval expires 12/31/13

Excel Dental Training Institute
907 Rivergate Pkwy #E-6
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
615-812-1726
Approval expires 12/31/13

Hiwassee College Dental Hygiene Program
225 Hiwassee College Drive
Madisonville, TN 37354
423-420-1919
Approval expires 12/31/14

Medical University of South Carolina/College of Dental Medicine
29 Bee Street, DC 602
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-2255
Approval expires 12/31/14

Roane State Community College - Dental Hygiene Program
701 Briarcliff Ave.
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
865-803-9464
Approval expires:  12/31/13

Tennessee State University-Department of Dental Hygiene
3500 John Merritt Blvd
Nashville, TN 37209
615-963-5801
Expires 12/31/14

University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry
650 East 25th Street, 411
Kansas City, MO 64108
(800) 643-9671
Approval expires: 12/31/13

University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
875 Union Avenue, Room C106A
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-5386
http://uthsc.edu/
Approval expires: 12/31/14

University of TN Health Science Center/Department of Dental Hygiene
930 Madison Ave., Suite 600
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-6230
Approval expires: 12/31/14

Dental Radiology Courses for Dental Assistants

Dental Radiology Certification Program
601 NW Atlantic St. Suite A
Tullahoma,  TN 37388
(931) 455-8348
Approval expires 12/31/13

Dentedonline
P.O. Box 21763
Chattanooga, TN 37424 
(423) 544-3596
dent-ed-online.com
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Dentistry Today School of Dental Assisting
2801 Memorial Parkway S. Suite 185
Parkway Place Mall
Huntsville, AL  38501
256-529-5179
Expires 12/31/13

Dr. Ted Gaw
187 North Grundy Quarles Hwy
Gainesboro, TN 38562
(931) 268-2869
Approval expires 12/31/13

E.W. Professional Career Training Center
6425 Bonny Oaks Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37416
423-892-3545
Approval expires 12/31/13

Excel Dental Training Institute, Inc
907 Rivergate Pkwy #E6
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
(615) 812-1726
Approval expires 12/31/13

Jackson Area Dental Certifications
1520 Cherry Creek Cv.
Henderson, TN 38340
731-989-2763
Approval expires 12/31/13

Nashville Dental Society
660 Bakers Bridge Ave., Suite 304
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 628-3300
Approval expires: 12/31/13

University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
875 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-5386
http://uthsc.edu/
Approval expires: 12/31/13

Washington Skill Center
848 Thompson Drive
Abington, VA 24210
276-676-1948
Approval expires:  12/31/13


Continuing Education

Continuing Education

Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in disciplinary action against the licensee or registrant. The disciplinary action will be reported on the Department of Health license verification web site.

Dentists are all required to fulfill 40 hours of continuing education during the two calendar year cycle (January 1 of an odd year - December 31 of an even year) and keep a current C.P.R. card at all times. A minimum of 2 of the required 40 biennial hours must be obtained in the area of chemical dependency education.

Dental hygienists are all required to fulfill 30 hours of continuing education during the two calendar year cycle (January 1 of an odd year - December 31 of an even year) and keep a current C.P.R. card at all times. A minimum of 2 of the required 30 biennial hours must be obtained in the area of chemical dependency education.  Beginning January 1, 2011, dental hygienists can obtain no more than 50% of their continuing education via online or web-based.  This requirement does not apply to dentists and registered dental assistants.

All registered dental assistants are all required to fulfill 24 hours of continuing education during the two calendar year cycle (January 1 of an odd year - December 31 of an even year) and keep a current C.P.R. card at all times. A minimum of 2 of the required 24 biennial hours must be obtained in the area of chemical dependency education.

According to the Tennessee Board of Dentistry rules, acceptable continuing education is:

  • Courses sponsored or approved by any of the following organizations:
    • American Dental Association or its constituent or component societies.
    • Academy of General Dentistry or a state affiliate.
    • American Dental Hygienists’ Association or its constituent or component societies.
    • Any national, regional or state academy or association of any of the recognized specialty branches of dentistry listed in T.C.A. § 63-5-112.
    • National Dental Association or its constituent or component societies.
    • National Dental Hygiene Association
    • Capital City Dental Society.
    • American Dental Assistants’ Association or its constituent or component societies.
    • Tennessee Dental Hygienists Academy of Advance Study.
    • Tennessee Department of Health and its affiliated Metropolitan Health Departments
    • Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)
    • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Educational courses sponsored by an accredited school of dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting. If such course is taken for or assigned quarter or semester credit hours, three semester hours or equivalent quarter hours shall be equivalent to fifteen continuing education hours. No credits will be counted for courses failed.


  • Five (5) hours of continuing education credit shall be granted for attendance at a state, regional or national dental meeting. A maximum of ten (10) continuing education credits may be earned in this category during the continuing education cycle that precedes the licensure or registration renewal year. These hours are in addition to any continuing education courses attended at any of those meetings.


  • Participation at examinations - Four (4) hours of continuing education credit shall be awarded each time a licensee participates as an examiner for S.R.T.A. and one (1) hour of continuing education credit shall be awarded each time a licensee participates as an examiner for the coronal polishing examination.


  • Hour-for-hour of continuing education credit will be granted for courses in Advanced (ACLS) or Pediatric (PALS) Cardiac Life Support that are taught in accordance with the “Guidelines” of the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross or sponsored by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross during the continuing education cycle that precedes the licensure or registration renewal year.


  • The hours necessary to obtain or maintain C.P.R. may be counted as continuing education hours.


  • Twenty (20) hours of continuing education credit will be awarded for authorship of publications relevant to the practice of dentistry (e.g., a book, a chapter of a book, or an article or paper published in a professional peer reviewed journal).


  • Four (4) hours of continuing education credit shall be awarded, during each continuing education cycle that precedes the licensure or registration renewal year, to presenters for each hour of an initial presentation of a formal continuing education course that is a didactic and/or a participatory presentation to review or update knowledge of new or existing concepts and techniques. Hour-for-hour credit will be granted for repeat presentations. This category is limited to a maximum of twenty (20) hours continuing education credit during each continuing education cycle that precedes the licensure or registration renewal year.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is defined as successful completion of a BLS Healthcare Provider course, or CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, or an equivalent course, which provides training for healthcare professionals in CPR and the use of an AED.  The course must be conducted in person and include a skills examination on a manikin with a certified instructor.

The Dental Board conducts random audits to verify C.P.R. certification and continuing education hours. You must retain these documents for a three-year period.

BEING AUDITED DURING A PARTICULAR YEAR DOES NOT PREVENT YOU FROM BEING AUDITED THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

Proof of continuing education cannot be in the form of personal summary. You must provide a copy of the certificate you were awarded showing the topic, hours awarded, instructor’s name and credentials, date, who approved the continuing education, the time the continuing education started, and the time the continuing education ended.

If your license is active in this state (not in a retired status), whether you practice or not, you are required to have C.P.R. recertification and continuing education. If you retired your practice, but did not retire your license with the state, you are required to maintain current C.P.R. recertification and continuing education.

Requests for waivers of continuing education and/or C.P.R. should comply with the Rules and Regulations of the Tennessee Board of Dentistry (refer to Rule 0460-1-.05(5)). All waivers must be in writing to the Board’s administrative office. As the rule states, waivers must be based on conditions that were beyond the physical capabilities for that individual to obtain C.P.R. and/or continuing education. The Board requests that you have doctor’s statements sent directly to the Board’s office stating the conditions and that it is the opinion of the doctor(s) that you should be allowed a waiver based on those conditions.

Whenever you have a question regarding continuing education, refer to Rule 0460-1-.05 "Continuing Education and C.P.R.," or call the Board’s administrative office and speak to the administrator of the Board.