Last updated July 2026 · requirements verified against regulator publications 20 July 2026 · all courses free at the point of access
Written by Dr Sam — practising dentist, Australia, and the clinician behind this directory. About the author →
Ontario dentists answer to the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO). The requirement is at least 90 CE points per three-year cycle, with a required distribution: at least 15 Category 1 core points, at least 45 Category 2 points, and no more than 30 Category 3 points. Activities and evidence are recorded in the RCDSO e-Portfolio.
Alongside the headline requirement, keep these on your radar:
- Minimum 15 Category 1 (core) points per cycle
- Minimum 45 Category 2 points per cycle
- Maximum 30 Category 3 points; record everything in the RCDSO e-Portfolio
Where free online CE fits: Most providers in this directory are recognised through ADA CERP or AGD PACE — recognition the RCDSO's system readily accommodates. The planning question in Ontario is category mix rather than recognition: check where certificated webinars sit in the RCDSO's current category table, because the Category 3 ceiling (30 points) is the limit an all-online cycle is most likely to bump into, while the Category 1 core minimum (15 points) usually needs deliberate selection. Log each course the day you finish it with the free CE tracker (pick your province from the Canada presets — cycle dates and targets are preloaded), and see the Canada CE guide for the national picture.
Planning a cycle in Ontario
Ninety points over three years is 30 a year. A workable rhythm: secure the 15 Category 1 core points early in the cycle, build the Category 2 backbone (45+ points) steadily from certificated coursework, and let genuinely self-directed learning fill the capped Category 3 allowance. Log everything in the e-Portfolio as you go — reconstructing three years of evidence at renewal is the failure mode the QA Program audits catch.
Browse certificated courses for your CE record →
Ontario CE at a glance
- CE required: 90 CE points per 3-year cycle
- Regulator: Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO)
- Cycle: 3-year cycle
- Online learning: Category 3 is capped at 30 points — plan online/self-study around the category table
A starting sample across clinical areas
- New Guidelines for the Treatment of Periodontitis
- Questions You Hate, Answers You’ll Love: A Guide for Dealing with Difficult Patients Part 2
- Advancements in Pulpal Therapy for Primary Dentition
- Esthetic Zone 101
- Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation
- Dental/Medical Coding for Gemini Laser Procedures
- Oral Wellness from Bump to Baby: A Guide to Maternal and Infant Oral Health
- Part I: Dentistry Then and Now
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Frequently asked questions
How much CE do dentists need in Ontario?
90 CE points per 3-year cycle. Key conditions: Minimum 15 Category 1 (core) points per cycle. Requirements change — always confirm the current rules with the RCDSO.
Do free online courses count toward CE in Ontario?
Most listed providers hold ADA CERP or AGD PACE recognition, widely accepted across Canadian regulation. The Ontario-specific point: category 3 is capped at 30 points — plan online/self-study around the category table.
Who regulates dentists in Ontario?
Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO). It sets the CE requirement, audits compliance and publishes the current rules — treat its website as the primary source.
How should I keep records?
Download the certificate for every completed course the day you finish it, and log it in a tracker against your cycle target. The free CE tracker on this site has a preset for each Canadian province and territory with the verified target and cycle preloaded.