Continuing education in dentistry is gaining importance. No dentist can nowadays claim to have obtained enough knowledge in studies and professional career alone to cope with new technologies and changing patient's demands. In many countries, discussions are ongoing or have taken place between protagonists and antagonists of a mandatory continuing education for dentists. This paper describes the regulations concerning continuing education in some European countries. In some countries, participation is mandatory, and more countries are planning to do so. In other countries, incentives exist, but in the majority, continuing education is still on a voluntary basis or regarded as a moral obligation.