Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

Course Approval

Courses Requiring Board Approval

Most continuing education courses associated with a dentist or dental hygienist license do not require pre-approval. For example, the 30 hours of CE necessary to renew a license can be obtained without the Board's express authorization. However, all CE hours will still need to conform to the various Continuing Education Requirements regardless of whether they were approved in advance.

The following courses must be approved by the Board: 

Anesthesia Safety and emergency procedures (required for renewal of a dentist's sedation or anesthesia permit)(201 KAR 8:550 Section 19) 

Refresher courses for dentists and dental hygienists who have not actively practiced in two calendar years (required to obtain a license or resume practice)

Refresher courses for either block anesthesia, infiltration anesthesia, or nitrous oxide analgesia for dental hygienists (required if not administered in the last year)(201 KAR 8:562 Section 11(7) Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide Course Approval Guidelines

Medical Emergencies courses (required for dental hygienists to obtain or maintain general supervision registration)(201 KAR 8:562 Section 12(1); KRS 313.040(7).

Intravenous Access Lines (required for IV line registration for dental hygienists o​r registered dental assistants)(201 KAR 8:562 Section 13, 201 KAR 8:571 Section 7) IV Placement Approved Course Curriculum

Laser Debridement for dental hygienists (required for laser use registration)(201 KAR 8:562 Section 14) Laser Use by Hygienists Course Approval Guidelines

Coronal Polishing courses for registered dental assistants (required to perform coronal polishing)(201 KAR 8:571 Section 5) Coronal Polishing Course Approval Guidelines

X-ray Safety and Technique courses (required for registered dental assistants) Dental assistants may meet the radiography technique requirement either by completing an approved technique course or by being trained on the job by a supervising dentist. (201 KAR 8:571 Section 6, KRS 313.050(2) Radiation Safety Course Approval GuidelinesRadiography Technique Training

Open the Approved Course List to see the courses that have already been approved by the Board. Individuals that are interested in courses on the list must contact the provider directly for additional information.

​Request Course Approval

To obtain approval for one of the above category of courses requiring Board approval, please click on the appropriate link below:​

Course approval requests may be mailed, faxed, or emailed using the following contact information:

​Kentucky Board of Dentistry
Attn: Course Approval
312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 101
Louisville, KY 40222
(f) 502.429.7282
kbd@ky.gov