(a)A dental assistant may not position or expose dental
x-rays unless the dental assistant holds a dental assistant radiology
certificate issued by the State Board of Dental Examiners under this
section.
(b)To be eligible for a dental assistant radiology
certificate under this section, an applicant must present on or accompanying
an application form approved by the State Board of Dental Examiners
proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has:
(1)Paid all application, examination and licensing
fees required by law and Board rules and regulations;
(2)Graduated from an accredited high
school or holds a certificate of high school equivalency, General
Equivalency Diploma (GED);
(3)Submitted fingerprints for the
retrieval of criminal history record information;
(4)[(2)] Successfully completed
a current hands-on course in basic life support; and,
(5)[(3)] Either:
(A)taken and passed a course of instruction and an
examination administered by the State Board of Dental Examiners or
its designated agent, that fulfills the requirements in subsection
(h) of this section; or,
(B)if the applicant is certified as a dental assistant
by the Dental Assisting National Board, taken and passed a jurisprudence
examination administered by the State Board of Dental Examiners or
its designated agent.
(c)The State Board of Dental Examiners has established
a staggered dental assistant registration system comprised of initial
registration periods followed by biennial [annual]
registrations (i.e., renewals). The initial, staggered registration
periods will range from 18 [6] months to 30 [
17] months. The length of the initial registration period
will be determined by the registrant's birth month, but will be no
less than 18 months. The expiration of the initial registration will
be based on the registrants' birth month. [Each dental
assistant for whom an initial certificate of registration is issued
will be assigned a computer-generated check digit. The length of the
initial registration period will be according to the assigned check
digit as follows:]
[(1)a dental assistant assigned to
check digit 1 will be registered for 6 months;]
[(2)a dental assistant assigned to
check digit 2 will be registered for 7 months;]
[(3)a dental assistant assigned to
check digit 3 will be registered for 8 months;]
[(4)a dental assistant assigned to
check digit 4 will be registered for 9 months;]
[(5)a dental assistant assigned to
check digit 5 will be registered for 11 months;]
[(6)a dental assistant assigned to
check digit 6 will be registered for 12 months;]
[(7)a dental assistant assigned to
check digit 7 will be registered for 13 months;]
[(8)a dental assistant assigned to
check digit 8 will be registered for 14 months;]
[(9)a dental assistant assigned to
check digit 9 will be registered for 15 months; and]
[(10)a dental assistant assigned
to check digit 10 will be registered for 17 months.]
[(11)Initial dental assistant registration
fees will be prorated according to the number of months in the initial
registration period.]
(d)Subsequent to the initial registration period,
a registered dental assistant's biennial [annual]
renewal will occur on the first day of the month that follows the
last month of the dental assistant initial registration period.
(1)Approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date
of the initial dental assistant registration period, renewal notices
will be mailed to all registered dental assistants who have that expiration
date.
(2)A dental assistant registered under this section
who wishes to renew his or her registration must:
(A)Pay a renewal fee set by Board rule;
(B)Submit proof that the applicant has successfully
completed a current hands-on course in basic life support;
and,
[(C)For certificates that expire
before September 1, 2009, complete at least six (6) hours of continuing
education in the previous registration year.]
[(i)The continuing education curriculum must cover
dental assistant duties.]
[(ii)The continuing education requirement may be met
through self-study, interactive computer courses, or lecture courses
as offered or endorsed by continuing education providers listed in §104.2
of this title; or]
(C)[(D)] [For certificates
that expire on or after September 1, 2009,] Complete continuing
education as required by §114.12 of this chapter.
(3)A registration expired for one year or more may
not be renewed.
(4)Up to 6 hours of continuing education
may be carried forward from the year preceding the current renewal
period.
(e)Applications for registration or for renewal of
registration must be submitted to the office of the State Board of
Dental Examiners.
(f)An application for registration is filed with the
State Board of Dental Examiners when it is actually received, date-stamped,
and logged-in by the State Board of Dental Examiners along with all
required documentation and fees. An incomplete application for registration
and fee will be returned to applicant within three working days with
an explanation of additional documentation or information needed.
(g)A dental assistant shall display a current registration
certificate in each office where the dental assistant provides services
for which registration is required by this chapter. When a dental
assistant provides such services at more than one location, a duplicate
registration certificate issued by the Board may be displayed. Photocopies
are not acceptable. The duplicate may be obtained from the State Board
of Dental Examiners for a fee set by the Board.
(h)Radiology. Courses administered to fulfill the
requirements of a Dental Assistant Radiology Certificate must cover
the following course objectives identified by the Dental Assistant
Advisory Committee:
(1)At the end of this course of instruction, the student
should be able to:
(A)Apply principles of radiation safety in the operation
of radiographic equipment.
(i)Explain factors affecting x-ray production.
(ii)Explain x-ray machine factors that influence radiation
safety.
(iii)Identify differences between primary radiation
and scattered (secondary) radiation.
(iv)Describe protocol in suspected x-ray machine malfunctions.
(B)Practice safety measures for patient protection.
(i)Explain major cause of unnecessary radiation exposure.
(ii)Identify short and long-term effects of radiation
on cells and tissues.
(iii)Identify ways to reduce radiation exposure to
patients.
(iv)Explain guidelines to determine frequency of radiation
exposure.
(C)Practice safety measures for operator protection.
(i)Explain basic radiation physics and biology related
to operator exposure.
(ii)Explain sources of radiation to operators while
exposing radiographs.
(iii)Identify safety measures to reduce operator radiation
exposure.
(D)Identify and select infection control techniques
and barriers to minimize cross-contamination according to ADA/CDC
guidelines.
(E)Utilize patient management techniques before, during,
and after radiographic exposure.
(i)Address patient concerns regarding radiation exposure.
(ii)Select appropriate patient management techniques
for radiographic exposure.
(F)Select appropriate intraoral radiographic technique.
(i)Identify appropriate armamentarium for radiographic
techniques.
(ii)Select appropriate film size and film speed.
(iii)Expose radiographs.
(G)Practice infection control procedures for radiographic
processing.
(H)Prepare, maintain, and replenish radiographic solutions
for manual and automatic processors.
(I)Process exposed intra- and extraoral radiographs
manually and with automatic processors.
(i)Identify optimum conditions and procedures for
processing radiographs.
(ii)Identify and correct errors related to radiographic
processing and improper film handling.
(J)Store film and chemical agents used in radiographic
procedures according to regulatory guidelines.
(K)Dispose of all chemical agents and other materials
used in dental radiographic procedures.
(L)Mount radiographs using facial view.
(i)Identify anatomical landmarks to aid in correct
mounting.
(ii)Match specific tooth views to specified tooth
mount windows.
(iii)Utilize optimum viewing techniques.
(iv)Label the radiographic mount appropriately.
(M)Identify anatomical structures, dental materials
and patient characteristics observed on radiographs.
(N)Evaluate radiographs for diagnostic value.
(i)Identify diagnostically acceptable radiographs.
(ii)Identify and correct causes of errors on intraoral
radiographs.
(O)Understand basic principles of extraoral radiology.
(P)Select the appropriate film and equipment.
(Q)Prepare patient for exposure.
(R)Expose extraoral radiographs.
(S)Identify and correct causes of errors on extraoral
radiographs.
(T)Explain the concept of digital radiography.
(U)Select appropriate equipment.
(V)Expose digital radiographs.
(W)Identify and correct causes of errors on digital
radiographs.
(X)Utilize quality assurance procedures in the dental
office for radiographic procedures.
(Y)Prepare radiographs to comply with legal requirements
for viewing and duplication.
(i)Explain methods for duplicating radiographs.
(ii)Explain reasons for exposing and retaining radiographs.
(Z)Comply with HIPAA/Patient Privacy Rules and Regulations.
(2)Infection control. At the end of this course of
instruction, the student should be able to:
(A)Follow standards and guidelines of occupational
safety for dental office personnel.
(i)Utilize regulations in the OSHA/CDC Bloodborne
Pathogens Standard.
(ii)Utilize regulations in the OSHA/CDC Hazard Communication
Standard.
(B)Identify infectious diseases in the dental setting
and available immunizations.
(C)Prevent cross-contamination and disease transmission
in the dental setting.
(i)Perform proper hand washing.
(ii)Use disposable items whenever possible.
(iii)Utilize barrier techniques and personal protective
equipment (PPE).
(D)Perform disinfection procedures.
(i)Select appropriate PPE.
(ii)Select, prepare and use chemical agents following
manufacturer's directions.
(iii)Prepare surfaces for disinfection.
(iv)Disinfect the treatment room, darkroom, instrument
processing area, and all associated equipment.
(E)Perform sterilization procedures.
(i)Select appropriate PPE.
(ii)Prepare dental instruments and equipment for sterilization.
(iii)Apply appropriate method for sterilization of
dental instruments, equipment and supplies.
(iv)Label and store all instruments properly.
(v)Monitor effectiveness of sterilization process
for dental instruments, equipment and supplies.
(F)Maintain infection control of dental unit and equipment.
(G)Practice safety measures when handling all hazardous
materials.
(i)Identify and dispose of biohazardous waste.
(ii)Identify and dispose of non-regulated waste.
(iii)Identify and manage potential chemical and physical
hazards in accordance with MSDS sheets.
(H)Practice infection control in handling and transporting
dental items.
(i)Select appropriate PPE.
(ii)Identify conditions for potential cross-contamination.
(iii)Select and apply appropriate disinfectant.
(iv)Label biohazardous material.
(I)Utilize and maintain a quality assurance program
for infection control throughout the dental setting.
(3)Jurisprudence. At the end of this course of instruction,
the student should be able to:
(A)State the mission, philosophy and composition of
the State Board of Dental Examiners.
(B)Differentiate between the Texas Occupations Code
and the rules of the State Board of Dental Examiners.
(C)Comply with Texas law and the rules of the State
Board of Dental Examiners as they relate to dental assistant duties.
(i)This subsection as well as subsections (j) and
(k) of this section apply to certificates issued on or after September
1, 2009. A dental assistant who holds a certificate of registration
issued under this chapter shall display the person's current certificate
of registration in each office in which the person makes dental x-rays.
If the person makes dental x-rays at more than one location, the person
may display a duplicate of the original registration certificate obtained
from the Board on payment of a duplicate certificate fee set by the
Board.
(j)A dental assistant who holds a certificate of registration
issued under this chapter shall timely notify the Board of:
(1)any change of address of the registrant's place
of business;
(2)any change of the registrant's employer; and
(3)any change of the registrant's mailing address.
[(k)An initial certificate of registration
issued under this section expires on the 30th day after the date the
certificate is issued if the holder of the certificate fails to pay
the required certificate fee on or before that date.]
(k)[(l)] The Board may issue
a registration to a dental assistant applicant who is a Military service
member, Military veteran, or Military spouse in compliance with §101.6
of this title (relating to Dental Licensing for Military Service Members,
Military Veterans and Military Spouses).
(l)An applicant for registration
is ineligible if they are in violation of a board order at the time
of application.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed
the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority
to adopt.
Filed with the Office
of the Secretary of State on February 26, 2018
TRD-201800814 Tyler
Vance
Interim Executive Director
State Board of Dental Examiners
Earliest possible date of adoption: April 8, 2018
For further information, please call: (512) 475-0977
|