Provider

• The provider must develop and implement a mission related to cover all the healthcare needs of the public and for the betterment of the profession.
• The written statement should be dual fold; highlighting the goals of the organisation and of the entire Continuing Oral & Dental Education programme.
• Provision for evaluating and improving the goals periodically.

• Promote uniform standards for CODE that can be accepted nationally by the entire dental profession.
• Assure participants that recognised CODE providers have the organisational and infrastructural resources and capabilities to provide quality education.

Improve the educational quality of CODE Programmes through self evaluation and regulations postulated by the ACODE.

• Providers must use identifiable mechanisms to determine the current professional needs and interests of the intended audience and the content of the programme must be based on these needs.
• Use of varied data sources, assessment procedures and involvement of members of intended audience.

• Clearly outlined learning objectives must be in a written format; identifying the expected outcomes from each activity.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the educational activity must be developed during the early stages.

The provider must develop and use the learning activity evaluation mechanism that:

• Conforms to the learning objectives of the educational methods.
• Measures the degree to which the objectives have been successfully implemented.
• Assess course content, effectiveness of CODE instructor and overall administration.
• The provider must have an internal review for evaluation as well.
• The provider must give appropriate, practically useful, comprehensive feedback to the instructor concerning data obtained as a result of evaluation.

• CODE providers must demonstrate that all educational activities are independent of commercial influence, either direct or indirect.
• CODE provider must make complete disclosure to all participants of any / all commercial relations between the provider, course presenters and /or a commercial company.
• The provider must be responsible for ensuring the quality content and scientific integrity of all educational activities.
• CODE providers receiving commercial support must develop and apply a written statement outlining the terms and conditions of the arrangement. The provider must disclose to participants any monetary or other special interest the provider may have with the company whose products are discussed in its CODE activities. Whenever possible generic names should be used.
• CODE providers must ensure that, within the context of the educational programme, no product or commercial services will be marketed or promoted.

• Educational methods must be appropriate for the slated goals of the activity.
• The methods must be appropriate for the skill level of the intended audience, the facilities and instructional medium used for the activity.
• Group sizes for the activities must be limited in accordance with the nature of available facilities and number of instructors /evaluators.
• Self -instructional activities that are primarily audio visual or audio must be supplemented with additional written materials that serve the purpose of summarising, further explaining or clarifying the audio or audio-visual material, written material for individual in- office requirements. Provision must be made for participant's feedback. Also author consultation must be made available to participants when they perform required techniques in their office.
• For the in-office portions of on-site / electronically mediated participation courses, providers must require to maintain the following records (where applicable): patient informed consent form; pre-operative dental and medical history; pre-operative radiographs, dental charting; treatment rendered, materials, methods, etc; mounted treatment casts; photographs of treatment progress; post-operative photographs, radiographs.
• Following completion of in office portion of an on- site / electronically mediated participation courses, providers must convene participants for complete case presentation and critique.
• Providers are encouraged to give attendees resource materials and references to facilitate post course practical application of course content, as well as continued learning.

• The CODE providers must ensure that the activity facilitators and instructors teaching the courses are suitably qualified both by education and experience to provide instruction in the relevant subject.
• The instructor and participant ratio should be adequate and appropriate for the activity and intended objectives.
• Providers must assume the responsibility for communicating specific course objectives and design to instructors early in the planning process.
• Instructors should have competent communication skills, as well as an understanding of the principles and methods of education.
• Providers should develop clearly defined policies on honorarium and expense reimbursement for instructors.

• Facilities and instructional tools selected for each activity must be appropriate to accomplish:
• The intended educational methods.
• The stated educational objectives.
• Adequate space and equipment must be provided to accommodate the intended participation.
• If participants are required to provide materials and equipments, the provider must make this requirement clear to potential enrollees and inform the enrollees with all the information regarding all materials and equipment required.

• The administration of the programme must be consistent with both the objectives of the programme and the goals of the planned activity.
• The administrative must continually guide the CODE Programme on all matters regarding quality, future content, size and scope of activites. The consultation with an advisory committee consisting of atleast one dental professional should be done regarding goals, objectives of intended CODE Programme.
• The responsibilities and scope of authority of the members with administrative authorities must be clearly defined.
• The CODE provider must be responsible for ensuring the scientific integrity of each programme and also ensure public safety.
• The administrative authority must be responsible for the maintenance of accurate records of participants and information about the planned activities offered, including needs assessment, methods, objectives, course outlines and evaluation procedures.
• When two or more ACODE-recognised providers act in cooperation to develop, distribute and /or present an activity, each must be equally and fully responsible for ensuring compliance with all the ACODE standards.

• Fiscal resources should be sufficient to meet the intended scale of the planned activities and all intended objectives.
• Adequate resources must be available to fund both the administrative and supportive services necessary to conduct the CODE Programme.
• In instances when the CODE is only one element of a providers activities, resources for CODE must be clearly earmarked in the budget and resources.
• The provider must maintain a budget for the overall Continuing Oral & Dental Education programme, to include all costs and income, both direct (e.g: honoraria, publicity costs, tution fees, refunds or foundation grants if any) and indirect (e.g : use of classrooms facilities or equipment, unpaid instructor etc.)
• Resources must be adequate for the continual improvement of the programme.

Publicity must be accurate, informative, complete and not misleading.

• It should include:
• The name of the provider.
• The course title.
• Description of the course content.
• The learning / educational objectives.
• A description of the teaching methods to be used.
• The costs and contact person.
• The course instructor and their qualification.
• Refund and cancellation policies.
• Location, date, time and period of availability for Internet based courses / activities.
• The number of credits available.
• The recognition status of the provider, Through the use of the authorised statement and whenever feasible the use of the ACODE logo in conjunction with the authorised statement.
• The publicity for CODE activities must not conflict with or appear to violate the Principles of Ethics and Codes.

• In general continuing education activities must be made available to all dental professionals.
• If previous training or preparation is necessary for learners to participate effectively in the activity, the provider must

1. Provide knowledge, skills or experience required for admission;
2. Clarify the necessity for admission restriction, based on course content and educational objectives.
3. Specify in advance and formulate a methodology whereby applicants for admission are clear that they meet the requirement.

Such methods must be objective, specific and relate to the course content and stated requirements.

Where activities are offered at an advanced level, providers are encouraged to provide sequentially planned instruction at base, intermediate and then advanced levels to permit participants achieve the necessary upgrade.

Where patient treatment is required either by course participants or instructors, patient protection has to be prioritised and ensured as follows:

• The provider must seek assurance prior to the course that participants and/or instructors possesses the basic skill, knowledge and expertise necessary to assimilate instruction and perform the treatment being taught in the course.
• Informed consent from the patient must be obtained in WRITING prior to treatment.
• Appropriate equipment and instruments must be available and in good working order.
• Adequate and appropriate arrangements and/or facilities for emergency and post operative care must exist.
• Patients should be cautioned about any potential risks.

Patients should be explained in simple / non medical terms the:

1. Training situation,
2. Nature and extent of treatment to be rendered,
3. Benefits or potential harm that may result in the procedure,
4. Their right to discontinue treatment.

• All infection control protocol and emergency facilities should be readily available.
• Sufficient clinical supervision must be provided while working on the patient.
• If questions of a participants’ competence arise and results in incomplete work then the provider must take responsibility for ensuring its completion by qualified clinician.
• Provider will also have to give post course treatment, either through the clinician who treated the patient during the course or through some alternative arrangement.

• Available alternative procedures.

• Providers must maintain records of the participants at each educational activity, including their names, addresses and telephone numbers for a period of at least five years.
• Documents must not resemble a certificate or diploma to misdirect the public or professionals. The documentation must not attest or appear to attest any specific skill or speciality.
• Calculation and assigning of credit points must be done as follows:
  1. Credit must be awarded on the basis of contact hours. No credit for courses less than one hour in duration.
  2. For audio / visual self instructional programmes, individuals should receive credit equivalent to the instructional time of the programme, for a minimum of one hour of credit.
  3. Individuals who complete written self instructional programmes should receive a minimum of one hour of credit.
  4. For CODE onsite or in-office participation, credit must be based on contact hours.
  5. For electronically mediated CODE, the provider must demonstrate a rationale for establishing credit hours to be awarded based on the nature and quantity of information provided. Such courses must provide a minimum of one hour of credit.
• No credit is awarded if the course is for less than 1 hour.

• Electronic security measures ensuring the high quality operational standards and maintaining safety of information (eg: password protection, back up systems etc) should be there.
• Programme features should be user friendly.
• Participants must have access to technical assistance through out the duration of the course.
• Participant interaction with the course instructor should be facilitated through e-mail, discussion forums and chat rooms.

• Welcome package including a certificate stating the ACODE accredition and an exclusive members-only kit.
• Discounts on CODE related resouces including international literature, online programmes and other educational material.
• Use of the ACODE logo and name mentioned in recognised provider publicity.
• CODE guidance on self- evaluation and continual upgradation by standardised policy implementation for all recognised CODE providers.
• ACODE support and feedback.
• ACODE providers may list their CODE courses.