List of Free Dental Continuing Education Options

Online Course Requirements and Information

These free online dental continuing education options are not offered for school credit and do not have official prerequisites, though they do assume a background in dental care. These courses present lectures and webinars from the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Proctor and Gamble (P&G) Company. All of the following free online courses award continuing education units (CEUs). However, some states might not accept CEUs earned through online, self-directed learning, so learners should check with their state dental boards to determine CEU eligibility.

American Dental Association

• DT Explaining Dental Conditions and Procedures to Patients
• Etiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Fractured Teeth

The ADA offers various free online continuing education courses. While many are for members only, there are also free courses for non-members. These courses require registration. The ADA changes which courses are offered for free on occasion, and the following are examples of free courses from December 2012. DT Explaining Dental Conditions and Procedures to Patients focuses on dental issues, emergencies and methods that are used to adequately treat them. This resource, good for one CEU, also teaches about good teeth and gum care. Also providing one CEU upon completion, Etiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Fractured Teeth provides info on how to analyze, diagnose and treat fractured teeth and roots. Students also learn what factors contribute to making teeth more susceptible to fractures.

Proctor & Gamble

• Geriatric Dentistry: Reviewing for the Present, Preparing for the Future
• Dental Care for Infants
• Diseases of the Teeth and Jaws
• Effective Adult Learning for Oral Health Education
• Forensic Dentistry
• HIV: Infection Control/Exposure Control Issues for Oral Healthcare Workers
• Introduction to Dental Anatomy
• Local Anesthesia in Today's Dental Practice
• Nutrition & Oral Health: Eating Well for a Healthy Mouth
• Oral Health Maintenance of Dental Implants
• Orthodontics: A Review
• Smiles for Tomorrow

Dentalcare.com, a website through P&G, offers education, research and training to dental professionals, students and individuals interested in learning more about oral health. The site offers more than 150 free dental continuing education courses. Geriatric Dentistry: Reviewing for the Present, Preparing for the Future teaches learners about the effects the elderly have on the dental industry and the importance of evaluating these patients as individuals without regard to their ages. It also identifies the need for treating age-related problems. The emphasis in Dental Care for Infants is on dental professionals stressing to parents the importance of starting good dental care at a young age and implementing a dental plan to meet the needs of the child.

Diseases of the Teeth and Jaws teaches learners how to identify disorders in the mouth and the importance of using radiographs to aid in the diagnosis of teeth and jaw diseases. Effective Adult Learning for Oral Health Education shows dental professionals ways to educate adults on good dental care and the importance of open communication between dentists and patients. Forensic Dentistry discusses the history of forensic dentistry, the common areas in dental forensics and ways dentists can become involved in forensic dentistry. HIV: Infection Control/Exposure Control Issues for Oral Healthcare Workers discusses the importance of dental professionals having an infection control plan for patients with HIV-related health problems, as well as management and follow-up procedures for dental professionals exposed to HIV or at risk of exposure. Introduction to Dental Anatomy emphasizes the role teeth play in nutrition, chewing and digestion, speech and overall appearance.

Local Anesthesia in Today's Dental Practice teaches learners the basics of using local anesthesia and possible complications. Proper syringe usage and dealing with emergencies also are discussed. Nutrition & Oral Health: Eating Well for a Healthy Mouth discusses the connection between proper nutrition and good oral health. It also teaches students how to implement nutrition plans for patients and recognize nutritional deficiencies. Oral Health Maintenance of Dental Implants stresses the importance of good oral hygiene maintenance to ensure the success of dental implants. Students also learn about oral irrigators, auxiliary aids and metal instruments, as well as their use with dental implants.

In Orthodontics: A Review, students learn important facts about orthodontics, including diagnostic procedures, determining orthodontic needs, various treatment plans and commonly used orthodontic devices. Smiles for Tomorrow focuses on how regular dental care is essential to maintain good oral health and how treatment and preventative measures should be implemented for infants and continued through adulthood.