You must notify the SBOD within 10 days of a change of address.
SBOD issues licensees both a wall size and a wallet size license. You must have a copy of your dental license in your office.
If you practice in more than one office location, you must keep a copy of your license in all locations in which you practice. You are not required to purchase an additional license for each office.
You can check the status of your license by visiting www.mylicense.state.pa.us.
Important laws, rules and regulations can be obtained by requesting a copy from the SBOD or by visiting the SBOD website: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/de.
15 hours of CE are required to maintain an Anesthesia Unrestricted or Restricted Permit I. Five hours of CE are required for dentists who do not hold either permit, but practice in an office where other individuals administer general anesthesia, deep sedation or conscious sedation. These hours can be applied toward the 30 hour CE requirement to maintain a dental license.
In addition, dentists are required to carry medical professional liability insurance in the minimum of $1 million per occurrence/claim and $3 million per annual aggregate. Dentists are not required to have the insurance to apply for initial licensure, however they have 60 days from the date the license is issued to provide the SBOD with proof of acceptable coverage.
SBOD Quick Tips
Dental Hygienists
All dental hygienists must have a current Pennsylvania license to practice. Hygienists may apply for licensure after graduating from dental hygiene school and passing the licensing examination. Licenses must be renewed by March 31 of all odd years. To be eligible for renewal, the hygienists must complete 20 CE credit hours prior to the March 31 deadline.
Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs)
The state board defines expanded functions as:
The placing and removal of rubber dams, matrices, and wedges
Applying cavity liners and bases
Placing and condensing amalgam restorations
Carving and contouring amalgam restorations
Placing and finishing composite resin restorations or sealant material, or both
Performing coronal polishing
Performing fluoride treatments, including fluoride varnish
Taking impressions of teeth for study models, diagnostic casts or athletic appliances
Dentists should reference the state board on a regular basis for any updates on the list of expanded duties. Dental assistants who wish to perform expanded functions must obtain an expanded duties certificate from the state board.
To be eligible for relicensure, EFDAs must complete 10 CE credit hours prior to the March 31 deadline.
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