Wake AHEC

Dentistry

Dentistry Course Catalog

Affiliated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, Wake AHEC provides a range of continuing education programs for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants. Wake AHEC’s services include traditional dental programming, offering of the UNC-CH Intraoral Radiography Course and the opportunity of providing speakers for dental society meetings.

ADA CERP
The North Carolina Area Health Education Centers are an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP

Disclaimer:
Dental Institutions providing dental education have an obligation to disseminate new knowledge related to dental practice. In doing so, some information or presentations may include controversial materials or commercial references. The Wake AHEC office acknowledges that there is potential risk to participants using limited knowledge when incorporating new techniques and procedures into their practices, especially when the continuing education program has not provided them with supervised clinical experience in the techniques or procedures to ensure that they have attained competence. Sponsorship of continuing education courses by the Wake AHEC office does not imply endorsement of a particular philosophy, product or procedure by this institution.

Disclosure Statement/Conflict of Interest:
In accordance with the ADA CERP Standard V., everyone involved in planning or presenting this educational activity will be required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests and this information will be made available to participants at the start of the activity. As a continuing education provider, the Wake AHEC office is responsible for ensuring the content, quality and scientific integrity of all continuing dental education activities for which credit is provided. The Wake AHEC office is also responsible for taking steps to protect against and/or disclose any conflict of interest of the faculty/instructors presenting those courses.


The following represent some of the most frequently asked questions:

According to the NC State Board of Dental Examiners, to be classified as a Dental Assistant II, an assistant must meet one of the following criteria:

  1. successful completion of: an ADA-accredited dental assisting program and current certification in CPR
  2. successful completion of one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program, and current certification in CPR;
  3. successful completion of:
    • full-time employment and experience as a chairside assistant for two years (3,000 hours) of the preceding five, during which period the assistant may be trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist; and
    • a 3-hour course in sterilization and infection control; and
    • a 3-hour course in dental office emergencies; and
    • radiology training consistent with state law G.S. 90-29©(12); and
    • current certification in CPR; or
  4. successful completion of the certification examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board and current certification in CPR. Contact DANB at www.danb.org or 1 800-FOR-DANB for more information.

To take X-rays in North Carolina a dental assistant must do one of the following:

  1. Take and pass the Dental Assisting National Board Exam.
  2. Take and pass the North Carolina radiology equivalency exam. Exams can be administered through Wake AHEC.
  3. Successfully complete a 40 clock hour radiology course and examination in a formal education setting in NC.
  4. Complete one academic year at an ADA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program. Contact the ADA at www.ADA.org or 1 800-621-8099 for a list of accredited programs.
You must currently be a Dental Assistant II before taking a Coronal Polishing course. Dental Assistant II’s can polish the coronal portion of teeth after completing a 7-hour (3 hours didactic, 4 hours clinical) course in coronal polishing.

Planning a Continuing Education Event
If you are a planner and seeking Continuing Education credit from Wake AHEC, please contact us at 919-350-8547 or wakeahecinfo@wakeahec.org.