Every three years, all Michigan dentists must renew their licenses and certify compliance with state continuing education (CE) rules by submitting their application for license renewal. Renewals occur on a rotating basis so that one-third of the licensed dental population renews each year. Dental licenses renew on Aug. 31 of any given year. For the preceding three-year period, dentists must maintain records of CE activities and current CPR certification according to the state’s rules of mandatory continuing education (MCE).

Click here to view the Michigan Board of Dentistry's rules.

It is the dentist’s responsibility to keep evidence of their CE activities for four years following license renewal in the event of an audit by the Michigan Board of Dentistry. Sponsors must keep records of the CE courses they provide, but only to substantiate dentists’ claims of participation. Dentists should keep CE records in the same manner in which they keep Internal Revenue Service Data.

Evidence of course attendance and completion may take the form of vouchers, certificates or letters from approved sponsors; receipts are not acceptable. Copies of published materials or documentation of dental-related activities should be as complete as possible to protect against potential audit challenges.

Follow the link in the right navigation pane for some frequently asked questions and their answers.

Registered Dental Hygienist Courses for Administering Local Anesthesia

In June 2002, legislation was passed expanding duties for qualified dental hygienists to include administration of local anesthesia.

In order for a registered dental hygienist in Michigan to administer local anesthesia, he or she must first successfully complete a course in the administration of local anesthesia offered by a dental or dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and approved by the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services. The course would include a minimum of 15 hours didactic instruction and 14 hours of clinical experience.

Currently the University of Detroit Mercy and the University of Michigan are offering these courses, with Grand Rapids Community College having one under development. Contact the school's dental hygiene programs below to see when they will begin offering courses for administering local anesthesia.

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