Floor Openings in Two-Way Slabs-The tale of Alibaba and 40 thieves

The tale of Alibaba and 40 thieves
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The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) has set forth detailed guidelines and criteria for the Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE) to ensure high-quality continuing dental education (CDE). These guidelines, last updated in April 2020, aim to enhance the educational quality and integrity of CDE programs offered by various providers like dental schools, societies, and companies.<br /><br /><strong>Purpose and Goals:</strong><br />The objectives of PACE guidelines are to improve educational quality via self-evaluation, assure quality CDE activities, achieve international acceptance for CDE credit for AGD Fellowship and Mastership, promote uniformity in CDE activities, and build credibility for AGD awards.<br /><br /><strong>Eligibility:</strong><br />Eligible providers must have a structured CDE program, be located in the US, Canada, or their territories, and ensure courses have a sound scientific basis. Providers must demonstrate proper oversight, financial, and administrative responsibility. International providers must meet additional qualifications.<br /><br /><strong>Standards for Approval:</strong><br />Key standards include:<br />1. <strong>Administration:</strong> Programs must have a defined administrative authority, maintain a planning committee, and sustain continuity of management and facilities.<br />2. <strong>Fiscal Responsibility:</strong> Providers must maintain a CDE-specific budget to support program goals and improvement.<br />3. <strong>Goals:</strong> Providers must operate with documented, long-range goals relevant to public health and professional needs.<br />4. <strong>Needs Assessment:</strong> Providers must use identifiable mechanisms to assess the professional needs and interests of their audience.<br />5. <strong>Objectives:</strong> Specific educational objectives must be written and published in advance, guiding course content and participant expectations.<br />6. <strong>Admissions:</strong> CE activities should generally be available to all dentists, with any prerequisites clearly specified.<br />7. <strong>Patient Protection:</strong> Programs involving patient treatment must ensure participants possess necessary skills, obtain patient consent, and provide appropriate care and facilities.<br />8. <strong>Instructors:</strong> Instructors must be qualified and provide evidence-based education, avoiding conflicts of interest.<br />9. <strong>Publicity:</strong> Promotional materials must be accurate and informative, including detailed course information, instructor qualifications, and any commercial support disclosures.<br />10. <strong>Evaluation:</strong> Providers must develop mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of courses and instructors and use feedback for continuous improvement.<br />11. <strong>Course Records:</strong> Records of participation must be maintained for at least seven years and include detailed information to avoid misinterpretation by anyone.<br />12. <strong>Conflict of interest:</strong> CDE activities must be free from commercial influence, with financial and other conflicts of interest fully disclosed.<br />13. <strong>Self-Instructional Courses:</strong> Standards are in place to ensure the quality and integrity of electronically mediated courses and self-instructional activities.<br /><br /><strong>Application and Fees:</strong><br />Applications for PACE approval can be made online, with annual fees applicable. National approval may last up to six years, while local approval lasts up to four years, with re-evaluations required periodically.<br /><br />Overall, these comprehensive guidelines ensure consistency, quality, and transparency in continuing dental education, benefiting both providers and participants.
Keywords
Academy of General Dentistry
Continuing Dental Education
PACE guidelines
CDE quality
Educational objectives
Provider eligibility
Standards for approval
Fiscal responsibility
Conflict of interest
Application and fees