Lifelong Learning
The MDDS Board of Directors adopted the ADA Policy Statement on Lifelong Learning on February 28, 2005, as follows:
Policy Statement on Lifelong Learning (2000:467)
The Association advocates lifelong learning to enhance and update the knowledge base of dentists, to stimulate ongoing professional growth and development and to improve professional skills. Dentists have a responsibility to pursue lifelong learning throughout their professional careers. The Association recognizes that its members represent a broad community of interest and possess highly diverse learning styles that can be accommodated by a variety of educational methods. Members are encouraged to identify individual needs and develop and implement a plan to meet these needs. This plan may include, but not be limited to, staying current with professional literature, seeking current information applicable to one’s practice, and participating in formal continuing dental education activities. The increasing pace of change in technology and skills necessary to practice dentistry necessitates the continuous deliberate acquisition of knowledge and skills to provide the highest quality of oral health care. A professional should address a broad spectrum of topics to update his or her knowledge and skills in all appropriate areas of the profession.
The Association is committed to serving as a supportive resource to facilitate the lifelong learning process and to assist members in identifying appropriate sources and mechanisms for meeting this responsibility for the benefit of the public and the profession.
The Council on Dental Education and Licensure is developing resources to assist dentists who want to create an individualized lifelong learning plan. The resources will include information on how to determine what kind of CE you need and would most benefit from, how to develop goals and objectives to help meet your CE needs, resources for finding CE courses and a recognition system for dentists who successfully develop and implement a lifelong learning plan.
