AHEC Asheville (MAHEC) Photo

Area Health Education Centers

The AHEC program offers an array of dental speakers and programs, covering the latest topics in dentistry. These presentations are offered across the state in a system of nine AHEC regions.

Click here for a map of AHEC locations.

The UNC Adams School of Dentistry cautions continuing dental education participants that there are potential risks of using limited knowledge when incorporating new techniques and procedures into the practice of dentistry, especially when the continuing education course has not provided supervised clinical experience and/or competency tests in the techniques or procedures.

Course Eligibility

Purpose

The Adams School of Dentistry AHEC Program was established to provide faculty members as speakers for continuing dental education conducted by the nine AHEC regions, as well as local study clubs and dental societies.

Policy

Regional AHECs may request Adams School of Dentistry courses as program needs dictate. Study clubs and local societies, which include dentists, hygienists, and assistants, may request one one-hour program per academic year.

Procedure

Regional AHECs must complete and submit course request forms to the Adams School of Dentistry AHEC Program Office. Study clubs and dental societies are asked to submit their request form to the regional AHEC office.

Dental Society Courses

Purpose

The AHEC dental society program was designed to provide speakers for the local dental societies and study clubs in the nine AHEC regions.

Policy

Dental societies may request one one-hour program per academic year through June 30, 2022.

There is a $500 charge for AHEC supported Dental Study Clubs. This charge should be paid to the host AHEC in order to offset the logistical costs related to hosting an AHEC study club. Program support will cease on June 30, 2022. Starting July 1, 2022, Dental Study Clubs can reach out to faculty and arrange for lectures directly with faculty.

Procedure

Society requests must be initiated through the regional AHEC offices. Approved requests must be forwarded to the School of Dentistry AHEC Program two months prior to requested course dates.

Society meetings using AHEC speakers must be open to all dental professionals in the area and held in public facilities (i.e., not in members’ homes). Meetings may not be closed.

Societies may use AHEC speakers for non-profit meetings only.

If a registration fee is charged, the course request form must be accompanied by the proposed program agenda, program budget, registration fee, and target audience.

AHEC speakers may only be scheduled for in-state meetings.

Course Cancellation

Purpose

The purpose is to efficiently and effectively manage AHEC resources and to minimize the impact of unexpected program changes on course providers.

Policy

Course cancellation may be the result of low enrollment, adverse weather, or other emergencies.

Procedure

Course logistics are confirmed two weeks prior to course date. If fewer than six participants are anticipated, the speaker may opt to postpone until such time that enrollment exceeds six.

Medical Air Operations makes the final determination as to flight cancellations. When a flight has been cancelled, faculty will be encouraged to drive to courses scheduled within a two-hour drive for half or full day programs, after safety conditions have been assessed. The speaker may opt to postpone courses of shorter length to a later date.