From: Associate Dean, Graduate Dental Programs

To:NonBSO18Dental Corps Senior Leadership

Subj: CONFERENCE APPROVAL AND FUNDING INFORMATION FOR NON BSO 18

MEMBERS

1. As you know, there have been numerous changes to the Conference Request/Approval

process. Detailed information regarding the most current approval submission processcan be found at: Please note that Navy Medicine Professional Development Center (NMPDC) cannot consider funding conference requests unless the conference received higher level approval or is granted an exemption/waiver by BUMED Legal. Conference routing process can take up to 120 days to receive an approval/disapproval determination. If approval/waiver/exemption is granted, NMPDC must carefully evaluate and prioritize each request due to the command’s significantly reduced conference travel budget. Any member requesting travel funding must be on the conference attendance list, as approved by the Specialty Leader.

2. This memo provides guidance for Non BSO18funding requests for Continuing Education submitted to the NMPDC Graduate Dental Education Office, taking into consideration NMPDC’s reduced conference travel budget. NMPDC primarily funds courses conducted at the Navy Postgraduate Dental School and Naval Medical Center San Diego, which do not require conference approval. To ensure maximization of limited dollars, the following criteria are used to prioritize requests:

Higher Priority

  • CE course needed for an expiring license or expiring specialty certification.
  • CE course needed for maintaining Specialty Certification as identified in the organization’s bylaws/rules.
  • Members on ships, assigned to other operational commands, or deployed to remote areas where local or command sponsored CE is not available.
  • Command has a need for the Dental Officer to obtain training on new equipment. (Command must verify training cannot be conducted at the command)
  • Command has a need for the specialist to obtain trainingto stay current in their field.
  • Member did not attend a funded CE course the previous Fiscal Year.

Lower Priority

  • Dental Officer selected for residency training
  • Dental Officer who can use alternate methods to obtain CE to meet licensure or board certification requirements.

3. Every effort should be made to identify alternative methods for obtaining CE. There are free online opportunities, many of which are available through the Federal Services. These opportunities will continue to be advertised in the Weekly Dental Update (WDU). Opportunities include:

  • NPDS online or correspondence courses. (
  • Command provided Dental CE reviewed and officially approved by NPDS (POC: Mr. Patrick McMahon at ).
  • Free or low cost online CE available, for example, through ADA and AGD.

4. Once conference approval is received or waiver/exemption granted, requestors must complete two formsand submit for funding consideration. Completed forms must be received by the GDE Office no later than 45 days prior to the start of the course. The formsinclude:

  1. Attestation Form. This provides information on location of course and gives an estimated cost for the CE TAD. This form must NOT BE SIGNED by the member or the command. Blocks 1-5 of the front page must be completed. Block 1 must list the command next to the member’s name. Block 5 must explain why the TAD is needed to meet the training requirement, and state that training is not available online or via teleconference. For Page 2, blocks 1-4 auto populate. Block 5 is the estimated cost for travel, including any meeting fees.

(See Form Section)

  1. Non-BSO 18 Continuing Education Support Information Form: This is the justification sheet needed for the decision process. Commands should verify the number listed for “CE Hours Already Completed During Current Renewal/Recertification Period.” The answer to “Can CE Be Obtained Through Local, Online or Correspondence Courses and ifno, why” must clearly explain why alternate CE opportunities are unavailable. The question “Additional Information to Support Your Request” must list the rationale regarding why this course is needed.

(See Form Section)

  1. Commands should carefully review requests sent to the GDE office, verifying CE is needed and the written justification provided is reasonable. NMPDC does not have final travel approval authority.

POINT OF CONTACT:

CAPT Donald Worm, DC, USN

Associate Dean, Graduate Dental Programs (Code 1WPGDC)

Navy Medicine Professional Development Center (NAVMEDPRODEVCTR)

Building 1, 16th Deck, Room 16125

8955 Wood Road

Bethesda, MD 20889-5628

Direct: (301) 319-4509; DSN 285-4509

Office Email:

Direct Email: