Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0460 - Dentistry
Chapter 0460-04 - Rules Governing the Practice of Dental Assistants
Section 0460-04-.11 - DENTAL RADIOLOGY CERTIFICATION

Current through April 3, 2024

Registered dental assistants with this certification may expose dental radiographs under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.

(1) A dental assistant must be currently registered, pursuant to Rule 0460-04-.02, by the Board before attending a certification course in dental radiology and/or qualifying for certification, except as follows:

(a) Dental assistants who are registered, pursuant to Rule 0460-04-.02, before the original effective date of this rule shall be issued dental radiology certification without having to complete the course required in paragraph (2).

(b) Registered dental assistants, who have successfully completed a comparable assistant training program in another state in dental radiology, are eligible to apply directly to the Board for dental radiology certification without having to complete the requirements of paragraph (2), provided the course is determined by the Board consultant to be equivalent to the Board-approved course in Tennessee. The information regarding content of the course and proof of completion must be sent directly from the course provider to the Board's administrative office. If a certification or permit was issued by the other state, verification of the certificate or permit must be received directly from the other board. If it is determined that the course is not equivalent, the registered dental assistant will be required to comply with the provisions of paragraph (2) before certification can be issued.

(c) Assistants who have passed the radiology portion of the certified dental assistant examination given by the Dental Assisting National Boards, Inc. (DANB) or hold a current certification from DANB as a certified dental assistant are eligible to apply directly to the Board for dental radiology certification without having to complete the course required in paragraph (2). Proof of passage of the radiology portion of the DANB exam or proof of current DANB certification must be sent directly from the DANB to the Board's administrative office.

(2) To be eligible for certification, the registered dental assistant must successfully complete a Board-approved dental radiology training course or be currently enrolled in an ADA-accredited or Board-approved program which offers this course as part of their curriculum. Once eligible for certification, the registered dental assistant shall not expose dental radiographs until certification has been issued by the Board.

(3) Dental radiology certification shall be added to the registration of the registered dental assistant, if the registered dental assistant has successfully completed a Board-approved certification course and notification of completion has been submitted to the Board's Administrative Office by the course director on a form provided by the Board.

(4) Registered dental assistants with radiology certification shall prominently display their current registration certification, which is received upon registration and renewal, at their place of employment.

(5) Certification in dental radiology is only valid as long as the registered dental assistant has a current registration. If the registration expires or is retired, the certification is also considered expired or retired and the dental assistant may not expose dental radiographs until the registration is reinstated or reactivated.

(6) Application review and decisions required by this rule shall be governed by 0460-01-.04.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-5-105, 63-5-108, and 63-5-115.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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