Georgia Dental Association continuing education consists of educational activities designed to review existing concepts and techniques, to convey information beyond the basic dental education and to update knowledge on advances in scientific, clinical, and non-clinical practice related subject matter, including evidence-based dentistry. The objective is to improve the knowledge, skills and ability of the individual to provide the highest quality of service to the public and the profession. It is GDA’s mission that all continuing education strengthens the habits of critical inquiry and balanced judgment that denote the truly professional and scientific person and make it possible for new knowledge to be incorporated into the practice of dentistry as it becomes available.
Georgia Dental Association (GDA) Continuing Education Scientific Evidence Policy
Standards of the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) require that ADA CERP providers ensure scientifically sound continuing education. In order to comply with the standards related to the scientific content of continuing education programs, the Georgia Dental Association has adopted the following policies:
- Continuing Education material should have peer-reviewed content supported by generally accepted scientific principles or methods that can be substantiated or supported with peer-reviewed scientific literature that is relevant and current; or the CE subject material is currently part of the curriculum of an accredited U.S. or Canadian dental education program and, whenever possible, employ components of evidence-based dentistry.
- All clinically-based courses offered by GDA for continuing education credit have a sound scientific basis in order to adequately protect the public. GDA reserves the right to require that the presenters provide documentation that the educational material has a sound scientific basis and proven efficacy.
- Instructors of GDA CE courses should support clinical recommendations with references from the scientific literature whenever possible. References must have a sound scientific basis.
- Where the scientific basis for a clinical and/or technical CE course is evolving or uncertain, the presentation should include the level of scientific evidence that is currently available and what is known of the risks and benefits associated with the clinical and/or technical CE activity.
- Presenters should caution CE participants about the potential risks of using limited knowledge when integrating new techniques into their practice.
- Instructors must attest that the images used in CE courses have not been falsified to misrepresent treatment outcomes.
- Instructors who offer the same course on an ongoing or repeated basis must periodically review the course content and update as needed to ensure that it includes current scientific information and an assessment of risks and benefits.
- Educational objectives, content development, and selection of educational methods and instructors are conducted independent of commercial interest.