Government Relations
• The State Board of Dentistry will only accept pro bono hours performed after the effective date of the act , which is January 2 , 2023 .
• Act 159 applies to you and members of your dental team . Dentists , dental hygienists , and expanded function dental assistants may have up to three ( 3 ) hours of volunteer practice credited toward their respective continuing education requirement , so long as the following criteria are met : – The services are provided in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania . – The licensee or certificate holder provides volunteer services at a clinic , health center or at an event or program offered by a charitable entity . – The services are provided at no cost to patients . – The licensee or certificate holder is not compensated for providing services to those patients . – The number of hours of volunteer practice to be credited towards the continuing education requirement must represent the time that the licensee or certificate holder spent in the actual delivery of oral health care services or in direct support of the delivery of oral health care services .
– Continuing education credit will not be awarded for time spent performing administrative duties .
Acceptable documentation consists of a letter from the clinic , health center , or charitable entity on their letterhead which verifies the licensee or certificate holder ’ s compliance with the above conditions , along with the date ( s ), location , and hours of volunteer practice . The letter may be signed by the director , chief operating officer , or other authorized person affiliated with the clinic , health center , or charitable entity hosting the event or program . Licensees and certificate holders must retain the documentation for a minimum of four ( 4 ) years , in case of an audit . Contact PDA ’ s government relations team at ( 800 ) 223-0016 or mss @ padental . org , if you have any questions or concerns .
10 MAY / JUNE 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL