In June , the General Assembly passed House Resolution 106 , which terminated Governor Wolf ’ s disaster declaration , effective immediately . While the regulatory and statutory waivers and suspensions were originally authorized under the declaration , the Governor subsequently signed another bill from the General Assembly to ensure continuity of these suspensions . Act 21 of 2021 extends most , but not all , of the regulatory and statutory suspensions authorized under the emergency declaration until at least September 30 , 2021 .
What does this mean for the waivers applying to the dental profession ?
PDA ’ s chart will help you prepare for the next license renewal period !
WAIVER STATUS
ACLS / PALS Certification
Waiver suspended the requirement for dentists to renew their ACLS / PALS certification by taking an inperson course for the 2021- 2023 renewal period .
Guidance will expire on September 30 , 2021 , after which dentists with anesthesia permits have 90 additional days in which to take an in-person course for ACLS / PALS certification .
Administering COVID-19 tests
Waiver allowed dentists to administer COVID tests to patients during the state of emergency and for 90 days thereafter .
Waiver expires on August 31 , 2021 , after which dentists will not be allowed to administer tests unless otherwise authorized by law or regulation .
Continuing Education
Waiver had suspended the requirement for dentists to complete in-person CE when renewing their license for the 2021-2023 renewal period .
Waiver expired . Starting April 1 , 2021 , dentists must comply with current regulations and complete at least 50 percent of the 30-hour CE requirement with inperson learning . The State Board of Dentistry considers live , virtual CE webinars occurring in real time where participants can interact with the speaker as in-person learning . Recorded , non-interactive webinars count as self-study credits and are acceptable for 50 percent or less of the required CE credits .
CPR Certification
Waiver had suspended the requirement that dentists renew their CPR certification by taking an in-person course .
Waiver expired . Dentists must take an in-person training course when renewing their CPR certification . The licensing application form for the 2023-2025 renewal period will ask dentists to attest that they have taken an in-person CPR course .
18 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL