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Kentucky Dental CE Requirements for License Renewal: Complete 2026 Guide

  • Writer: Cary Smith
    Cary Smith
  • Sep 13, 2025
  • 2 min read

Staying compliant with Kentucky dental license renewal requirements is essential for protecting your license and providing safe, high-quality patient care. The Kentucky Board of Dentistry (KBOD) requires dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants to complete continuing education (CE) every renewal cycle.

This guide explains the Kentucky dental CE requirements for license renewal—including required hours, mandatory topics, deadlines, and best practices—so you can renew with confidence.


CE Hour Requirements for Kentucky Dentists

  • 30 hours of CE every two years

  • At least 20 hours must be live, interactive, or clinical participation

  • Remaining hours may be completed online or self-study from approved providers

  • CE must relate to clinical dentistry, patient care, or public health

CE Hour Requirements for Kentucky Dental Hygienists

  • 30 hours of CE every two years

  • At least 15 hours must be live or interactive

  • CE must support clinical dental hygiene, prevention, and patient safety

CE Hour Requirements for Kentucky Dental Assistants

  • 15 hours of CE every two years for registered dental assistants

  • CE must be relevant to dental assisting duties, infection control, or patient safety

  • Must maintain current CPR certification at all times


Mandatory CE Topics for Kentucky License Renewal

Kentucky requires or strongly encourages the following CE topics during each renewal cycle:

  • Infection Control – Must be current and regularly updated

  • CPR/BLS Certification – Must be current at all times

  • Kentucky Jurisprudence (Laws & Ethics) – 2 hours every two years

  • Opioid Prescribing and Pain Management – 3 hours every renewal period for DEA-registered dentists

  • HIV/AIDS Training – 2 hours every 10 years


CE Reporting, Deadlines, and Audits

  • Kentucky dental licenses renew every two years (by December 31 of odd-numbered years)

  • CE completion is attested during license renewal

  • Licensees must retain CE documentation for at least four years

  • The Kentucky Board of Dentistry conducts random CE audits, so accurate recordkeeping is essential


CE Courses and Certificate Tracking

You can complete Kentucky-compliant CE courses at ToothNerd.com, including Kentucky Jurisprudence, OSHA, Infection Control, and Opioid CE.

While CE providers issue completion certificates, practices also need centralized documentation for compliance. Done Desk allows dental organizations to track CE completions, license renewals, and documentation for the entire team in one platform—helping practices stay audit-ready and compliant.


Best Practices for Kentucky CE Compliance

  • Plan ahead: Spread CE hours across your two-year renewal cycle

  • Prioritize required topics: Complete jurisprudence and opioid CE early

  • Verify providers: Choose only KBOD-approved, ADA CERP, or AGD PACE CE

  • Keep detailed records: Maintain both digital and physical proof of CE completion


Accreditation Statement

Tooth Nerd LLC is an approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit and AGD Approved Courses. Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement. Provider ID# 389654.

Bottom Line

Meeting Kentucky dental continuing education requirements is essential for keeping your license active and your patients safe. By completing the required hours, covering all mandated topics, and tracking documentation through Done Desk, you can renew on time and with confidence.

 
 

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