Quick facts
- Board Name
- Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene
- Renewal Cycle
- 2 years (biennium)
- Rule Citation
- 24 DE Admin. Code 1100 § 6.0
- Hour Requirement
- 50 hours
- State-Mandated Topics
- Infection Control (2 hrs), Controlled Substance Prescribing (2 hrs), CPR/BLS Certification
- Records Retention
- 3 years after renewal
Governing authority and what the rule requires
The Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene is the governing body responsible for licensing and regulating dentists. Its authority comes from the Delaware Dental Practice Act, found in Title 24, Chapter 11 of the Delaware Code. The specific rules for continuing education requirements and audits are detailed in the Board's administrative regulations, primarily under 24 DE Admin. Code 1100 § 6.0.
How Delaware dental CE audits typically work
After a renewal cycle the board reviews a sample of attestations. If selected, you will receive a notice through the email or address on file with a defined response window. Most audits close quietly when records match what was attested. The steps below are typical for Delaware.
- The Board randomly selects a percentage of renewing dentists for a CE audit.
- An audit notice is sent to the selected licensee, typically by mail or via the state's professional licensing portal.
- You are generally given a specific timeframe, often 30 days from the notice date, to submit copies of your CE documentation.
- The Board or its staff reviews your submitted certificates to verify compliance with the 50-hour requirement, mandated topics, and limits on self-study.
- You will receive a final notification indicating you have successfully met the requirements or outlining any deficiencies and next steps.
- You must maintain current CPR certification through a hands-on course, though these hours do not count toward the 50-hour total unless it includes a didactic component beyond basic certification.
Documentation commonly requested
Audit notices are usually specific about what they want. Read the notice slowly and make a checklist directly from it. The most common items requested for dentists include:
- Certificates of Completion for each course.
- Documentation must show your name, the course title and instructor, the date of completion, the number of credit hours, and the course provider (must be an approved provider like ADA CERP or AGD PACE).
- Proof of current, hands-on CPR/BLS certification.
- For any university-based courses, a transcript may be required.
- A log or summary of all completed courses may be helpful to include with your submission.
Delaware-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Delaware requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.
- **Infection Control (2 hours):** You must complete at least 2 hours of CE related to infection control each biennium (see 24 DE Admin. Code 1100 § 6.0).
- **Controlled Substance Prescribing (2 hours):** Dentists must complete at least 2 hours related to the prescribing of controlled substances and the treatment of substance use disorders (see 24 DE Admin. Code 1100 § 6.0).
- **CPR/BLS Certification:** You must maintain a current, valid CPR/BLS certification obtained through a hands-on course. While required, the hours for basic certification do not count toward the 50-hour requirement.
- **Self-Study Limit:** No more than 10 of the required 50 hours can be obtained through self-study or other non-live formats (see 24 DE Admin. Code 1100 § 6.0).
Common pitfalls dentists run into
- **Missing Mandated Topics:** Failing to complete the specific 2 hours of infection control or 2 hours of controlled substance CE is a common reason for a failed audit.
- **Exceeding Self-Study Limit:** Submitting more than 10 hours from non-live or self-study courses will result in a deficiency.
- **Unapproved Providers:** Taking courses from providers not recognized by the Board. Per Section 6.0, providers should be approved by organizations like the American Dental Association (ADA CERP) or the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD PACE).
- **Poor Record-Keeping:** Not retaining your certificates of completion for the required three-year period, making it impossible to produce them when audited.
- **Forgetting CPR:** Letting your hands-on CPR certification lapse is a violation of licensure rules, separate from the 50-hour CE requirement.
How to assemble a clean response
Gather your records in one place. A folder on your desktop, a printed binder, or a shared drive all work. You don't need a complicated system. You just need to be able to find things.
Name each PDF clearly with the date, course title, and number of hours. Group certificates by category that maps to the board's request: mandated topics, general dental CE, CPR/BLS. Add a one-page cover sheet that summarizes total hours and points the reviewer to the matching documents.
If your hours fall short
First-time shortfalls are usually handled administratively. Boards generally allow a defined window to complete makeup hours and submit updated documentation. Honest, prompt communication is far better than silence.
If the shortfall is significant or repeated, the board may move toward formal action. At that point, calm documentation of how you are coming into compliance, plus a written plan to prevent recurrence, makes a meaningful difference.
Possible outcomes
- **No Action:** If your documentation is complete and accurate, you will receive a letter closing the audit with no further action.
- **Corrective Action:** For minor deficiencies, the Board may allow you a short period to make up the missing hours and submit proof.
- **Disciplinary Action:** Significant non-compliance, failure to respond to an audit, or submitting fraudulent documents is considered unprofessional conduct under the Dental Practice Act (see 24 Del. C. § 1126). This can result in penalties including fines, a formal reprimand, or in severe cases, probation, suspension, or revocation of your license.
- **Fines:** The Board has the authority to issue fines for violations of its rules, including CE non-compliance.
- The Board may also require additional, specific coursework as part of a disciplinary order.
- Disciplinary actions taken by the Board are often public records.
A simple audit-response checklist
- 1Read the audit notice slowly. Note the deadline and exact list of documents requested.
- 2Make a simple folder labeled with the cycle dates being audited.
- 3Pull certificates of completion for every CE activity in that cycle.
- 4Match each certificate to the topic area or category your board requires.
- 5Save proof of license renewal and any required attestations.
- 6If a certificate is missing, contact the provider for a duplicate before the deadline.
- 7Scan everything as clean PDFs, named with date and course title.
- 8Submit through the channel the board requests. Keep a copy and a confirmation.
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Frequently asked questions
Real Outcomes Reported by BoardWise Users
BoardWise users have reported outcomes including:
- Complaint dismissals
- Successful responses to board inquiries
- Passing continuing education audits
- Early probation termination
- Improved understanding of licensing board procedures
Individual outcomes vary and depend on the facts of each case.
Optional Attorney Document Review
Before you send anything to the board, BoardWise can match dentist in Delaware with an independent, state-licensed attorney for an optional limited-scope review of the document you prepared:
- We match you with an independent attorney licensed in your state
- They review and suggest revisions to your document before you submit it to the board
- Focused, limited-scope review at a fixed fee rather than a full retainer
- A second set of eyes on wording, tone, and anything that may need a closer look
What does the attorney review cost? Pricing depends on the complexity of your matter and the scope of review, but most BoardWise lawyer reviews are approximately $250–$500. You’ll see the specific fee before deciding whether to proceed.
Optional limited-scope attorney review may be available for an additional fixed fee. Attorney availability, conflicts review, eligibility requirements, and additional terms apply. If an attorney accepts the matter, the client will contract with and pay the independent attorney directly.
Print & FedEx Overnight Delivery
Finishing the document is only part of the job. BoardWise Document Delivery lets dentist in Delaware send the finished packet straight to the board without a trip to the post office:
- FedEx Overnight delivery for street addresses when your deadline is close
- USPS Priority Express and USPS Certified Mail for P.O. Box board addresses
- Printing, packaging, and postage handled for you, with tracking on every order
- Confirmation and tracking details emailed to you as your package moves
What does it cost? $150 for FedEx Overnight and $99 for USPS Priority Express or Certified Mail. You see the exact price and the full address details before you authorize the order.
Printing and mailing are fulfilled by Mailform. You are responsible for meeting your own deadline, so keep an electronic copy and watch the tracking information.
What Professionals Are Saying
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BoardWise is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. This guide is educational only and reflects general practice in the United States. Your state licensing board is the official source for current requirements. If your situation involves formal discipline or a hearing, consider consulting a licensed attorney in your state.