SECTION 114.2. Registration of Dental Assistants

(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) Successfully completed a current hands-on course in basic life support; and,

(5) 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 registrations (i.e., renewals). The initial, staggered registration periods will range from 18 months to 30 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.

(d) Subsequent to the initial registration period, a registered dental assistant's biennial 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) 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) 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.

Source Note: The provisions of this §114.2 adopted to be effective May 10, 2004, 29 TexReg 4479; amended to be effective November 5, 2006, 31 TexReg 8834; amended to be effective February 2, 2010, 35 TexReg 635; amended to be effective December 10, 2013, 38 TexReg 8833; amended to be effective May 10, 2018, 43 TexReg 2778