On January 19, 2005, Acting Governor Codey signed new legislation amending the continuing education requirements for Registered Dental Hygienists (R.D.H.). The new law requires that every licensed hygienist complete at least 20 (twenty) hours of continuing education for every biennial renewal period.

Continuing education requirements for Registered Dental Assistants (R.D.A.) are unchanged and remain at 10 (ten) hours for each biennial registration period.

The Board has determined that the new continuing education requirements for Registered Dental Hygienists will become effective with the biennial registration period running from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007. For this current period (expiring on December 31, 2005), the continuing education requirements for Registered Dental Hygienist renewal will remain at 10 (ten) hours.

Please be reminded that all licensees of the Board of Dentistry are required to maintain proof of attendance at Continuing Education courses for at least two biennial registration periods. All licensees of the Board of Dentistry are subject to random audits for compliance. The failure to complete or maintain proof of continuing education could subject a licensee to Board disciplinary action to include fines and other penalties.