South Dakota Dental CE Requirements for License Renewal: Complete 2026 Guide

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

This guide explains the South Dakota 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 South Dakota Dentists

• 100 hours of CE every five years

• At least 50 hours must be live, interactive, or clinical participation

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

• CE must directly support the practice of dentistry, patient care, or public health

CE Hour Requirements for South Dakota Dental Hygienists

• 75 hours of CE every five years

• At least 37.5 hours must be live or interactive

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

CE Hour Requirements for South Dakota Dental Assistants

• No general CE requirement for basic dental assistants

• Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) and Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs) must complete CE as required to maintain their registration or permits and must keep CPR certification current

Mandatory CE Topics for South Dakota License Renewal

South Dakota 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

• South Dakota Jurisprudence (Laws & Ethics) – Required at least once every five years

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

• Ethics and Risk Management – Recommended periodically to stay current on regulations

CE Reporting, Deadlines, and Audits

• South Dakota dental licenses renew every five years (by June 30)

• CE completion is attested during license renewal

• Licensees must retain CE documentation for at least six years

• The South Dakota State Board of Dentistry conducts random CE audits, so accurate recordkeeping is essential

CE Courses and Certificate Tracking

You can complete South Dakota-compliant CE courses at ToothNerd.com, including South Dakota 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 South Dakota CE Compliance

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

• Prioritize required topics: Complete jurisprudence and opioid CE early

• Verify providers: Choose only Board-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 South Dakota 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.