64B27-1.003. Continuing Education Requirements

(1) On or after July 1, 2010, each registered dental laboratory owner/operator or a designated employee must complete 18 hours of continuing education (CE) biennially. The owner/operator or agent as listed on the registration has the responsibility to ensure that the CE provider has submitted or the owner has self-submitted course completion information within the CE tracking system in accordance with rule Chapter 64B-5, F.A.C. The records retained by the laboratory to document completion of the required CE shall either include evidence that the owner/operator completed the course hours or that the course hours were completed by a designated employee who worked at the laboratory for at least one full year during the biennium as documented by time cards, pay stubs, or federal W-2 forms.

(2) Organizations, schools, and agencies that meet the criteria set in Section 466.032, F.S., and in this rule shall apply and will be granted approval to develop and offer continuing education courses in accordance with Rule 64B5-12.017, F.A.C.

(3) As part of the hours required biennially, the owner/operator or designated employee must complete two hours of coursework relating to the prevention of medical errors including root-cause analysis, error reduction and prevention, patient safety, infection control, and/or standards on employee safety required by state or federal laws or regulations.

(4) As part of the hours required biennially, the owner/operator or designated employee must complete a one to three hour course on the laws and rules that govern dental laboratories and dental technicians.

(5) Attendance at lectures, study clubs, college courses, conventions, and research shall be included for fulfillment of the CE requirement if sponsored for dentists or dental technicians by an approved provider or if approved by the executive director for dental laboratories and the Board of Dentistry as meeting the content requirements specified by law. For an up-to-date report on approved providers contact the office regulating dental laboratories at 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, telephone number [phone].

(6) Owners or designated employees that are certified by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology as a Dental Laboratory Technician during the biennium can demonstrate compliance with the continuing education requirements of this rule by entering his or her Certified Dental Technician certification number and submitting a copy of his or her active certification card in the CE tracking system.

(7) As part of the hours required biennially, the owner/operator or designated employee may satisfy up to four hours by the performance of pro bono services to the indigent or to underserved populations or in areas of critical need provided that the prescribing dentist is serving these populations and the patient beneficiary falls within one of these categories.

(8) The CE requirement does not apply to a dental laboratory physically located within the office of a licensed dentist.

Rulemaking Authority 466.032, 466.038 FS. Law Implemented 456.013, 466.032 FS. History–New 5-21-09, Amended 1-31-18.