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 Office of Continuing Dental Education at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center has adopted the following policies:

• Instructors are responsible for ensuring that clinical and technical continuing education activities have a sound scientific basis and proven clinical efficacy in order to promote public safety.
• Instructors must support clinical recommendations with reference to the scientific literature whenever possible. In instances where scientific evidence for new or accepted dental procedures is emerging, uncertain or limited, the instructor must ensure that the level of scientific evidence that is available is presented, in addition to the known benefits and risks associated with the course subject matter.
• Instructors should caution participants about the potential risks of using limited knowledge when integrating new techniques into their practice.
• Instructors must attest that the images used in the CE activity 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 insure that it includes current scientific information and an assessment of risks and benefits.