Rhode Island CE Requirements

Dental Assistant

All dental assistants practicing in a dental setting shall hold a current certificate of completion in Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider that includes a hands-on skill component and conforms to the current American Heart Association Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) offered by any accredited agency approved by the Board.

Every dental assistant in Rhode Island must receive a minimum of 1 hour per year of training in the CDC Infection Control Guidelines.

DANB Certified Assistant

# CE Required: 12

Required Topics: DANB Recertification Requirements

Renewal Period: Annually

More information: DANB’s Recertification Requirements

Notes: To perform expanded functions in Rhode Island, a Dental Assistant must maintain one of the following DANB certifications:

  • Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
  • Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
  • Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA)
  • Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA)
  • Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant (COMSA)
  • Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator (CDPMA)

To maintain one of these DANB certifications, a certificant must earn 12 CE credits annually; hold a current DANB-accepted hands-on CPR, BLS, or ACLS card; and pay a renewal fee. Individuals who have passed a DANB certification exam but have not renewed certification are no longer DANB-certified assistants.

DAANCE Certified Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant

# CE Required: 20 hours

Renewal Period: Every 2 years

Required Topics: 1 hour per year in the CDC Infection Control Guidelines

Notes: All DAANCE-Certified Maxillofacial Surgery assistants practicing in a dental setting shall hold a current certificate of completion of any approved course in Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider that includes a hands-on skill component and conforms to the current American Heart Association Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) offered by any accredited agency approved by the Board. In addition, DAANCE-Certified Maxillofacial Surgery assistants must also hold current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).