Eligibility Criteria

 

 

Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition approves providers as defined in the AFOO Glossary and Recognition Standards and Procedures. AFOO recognizes providers of continuing orthodontics education (CE). Individual courses, Institutions, organizations or major units or departments within an institution/organization in the United States and Canada are eligible to apply for recognition. Any provider of CE meeting the AAFOO standards and criteria and the following requirements will be eligible for recognition. CE providers submitting an application must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. The CE provider offers a planned program of continuing orthodontics education activities consistent with the definition of continuing orthodontics education provided in the AFOO Glossary. The CE provider must demonstrate oversight by an independent advisory committee. The provider must have offered a planned program of CE activities for at least 24 months.
    

2. A CE provider must ensure that all courses offered for continuing education credit have a sound scientific basis in order to adequately protect the public. AFOO reserves the right to require that the applicant provide documentation that courses offered by the provider have a sound scientific basis and proven efficacy in order to ensure public safety.
    

3. The CE provider must demonstrate that it assumes the financial and administrative responsibility of planning, publicizing and offering the continuing orthodontics education program consistent with the definition of provider in the AFOO Glossary.
    

4. The CE provider must ensure that the educational methods are appropriate to the stated objectives for the activity and, when participation is involved, enrollment must be related to available resources to assure effective participation by enrollees.
    

5. The CE provider must ensure that the facilities selected for each activity are appropriate to accomplishing the educational method(s) being used and the stated educational objectives.
    

6. Commercial interests are not eligible for recognition.* The AFOO Glossary defines “commercial interest” as follows: 
   
   Commercial Interest: (1) An individual or entity that produces, markets, re-sells or distributes health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients, or (2) an individual or entity that is owned or controlled by an individual or entity that produces, markets, resells, or distributes health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. Providing clinical services directly to or for patients (e.g., a dental practice, dental lab, or diagnostic lab) does not, by itself, make an individual or entity a commercial interest.
   
    

7. CE providers that are not based in the United States or Canada must meet the additional eligibility criteria and requirements outlined in the Application Process for International Providers before they will be considered eligible to apply for recognition.   

Although AFOO may not directly benefit some smaller groups, such as local CE study clubs, such groups are encouraged to explore possible affiliation agreements with their local or state dental societies.