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Information Concerning CE in Radiology

The PA Dept. of Environmental Protection issued technical guidance called "Medical X-Ray Procedures Operator Training Guide" in July 2010.  Anyone taking radiographs in a dental office will be required to attend a continuing education course on radiographs and radiation.  THIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT FROM THE STATE BOARD OF DENTISTRY.  The method the DEP will use to identify who is in compliance is in their periodic office evaluations.  A representative from the DEP will ask to see proof of attendance at a radiology course.  If attendance has not occurred, the office staff will have 4 years to comply until the next DEP office evaluation.

The following is information from the Pennsylvania Dental Association:

You can obtain information about the radiology CE requirements by accessing the “Radiation Protection Update Questions and Answers” on the PDA website at www.padental.org/radiology. Here is a quick overview of the requirements.

According to Pennsylvania law (25 Pa. Code, Section 221.11(b)) anybody who operates an x-ray machine in the state of Pennsylvania (dentists, assistants and hygienists) must take continuing education in radiology; the continuing education must cover four specific topics: radiation safety, biological effects, quality assurance and quality control. However, the law is very vague; it puts no minimum standard on how many CE credits must be obtained, or how often, it has always been left up to discretion.

The Department of Environmental Protection recommends that anyone who operates an x-ray machine obtain 4 credit hours (or 2 contact hours) of radiology CE every 4 years, but this is simply a recommendation. It is not the only way in which you can be compliant with PA law.  Any continuing education in radiology, such as an online CE course, having a lecturer come into your office, etc. is in compliance with the law, as long as it covers the four above mentioned subject areas.  It is important that you are doing something in terms of radiology CE.

PDA is offering a free CE course available exclusively to PDA members and their staff. The course is worth two CE credits for those who view the PowerPoint presentation and successfully complete a short 20 question quiz about the PowerPoint’s content.  Links to both the PowerPoint and the quiz can be accessed at www.padental.org/radiology.

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