201 KAR 8:571 - Registration of dental assistants

RELATES TO: KRS 313.030, 313.045, 313.050, 313.080, 313.130

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 313.045(1) requires the board to promulgate administrative regulations relating to requirements and procedures for registration, duties, training, and standards of practice for dental assistants. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements and procedures for registration, duties, training, and standards of practice for dental assistants.

Section 1. Definitions.

(1) "Coronal polishing" means a procedure that is the final stage of a dental prophylaxis on the clinical crown of the tooth after a dentist or a hygienist has verified there is no calcareous material.

(2) "Dental assistant" means a person who is directly involved with the care and treatment of a patient under the direct supervision of a dentist and performs reversible procedures delegated by a dentist licensed in the Commonwealth.

Section 2. Supervision Requirements. A dental assistant operating under this administrative regulation shall be under the direct supervision of a Kentucky licensed dentist at all times while in the performance of patient care and treatment. The supervising dentist shall accept sole responsibility for the actions of the dental assistant.

Section 3. General Registration and Documentation Requirements.

(1) A dentist licensed in the Commonwealth shall register all dental assistants in the dentist's practice on the Application for Renewal of Dental Licensure incorporated by reference in 201 KAR 8:532.

(2) A dental assistant shall maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that meets or exceeds the American Heart Association CPR Guidelines, as incorporated by reference in 201 KAR 8:532. The supervising dentist shall retain the current CPR certification of each dental assistant in the dental assistant's personnel file.

(3) The supervising dentist shall maintain a statement of the competency of procedures delegated to the dental assistant from the Delegated Duties List that includes the name of the:

(a) Individual trained; and

(b) Licensee attesting to the competency of the dental assistant.

Section 4. Coronal Polishing Requirements.

(1) A registered dental assistant may perform coronal polishing only if the assistant has:

(a) Completed the training described in subsection (2) of this section; and

(b) Obtained a certificate from the authorized institution.

(2) The required training shall consist of an eight (8) hour course taught at an institution of dental education accredited by the Council on Dental Accreditation to include the following:

(a) Overview of the dental team;

(b) Dental ethics, jurisprudence, and legal understanding of procedures allowed by each dental team member;

(c) Management of patient records, maintenance of patient privacy, and completion of proper charting;

(d) Infection control, universal precaution, and transfer of disease;

(e) Personal protective equipment and overview of Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements;

(f) Definition of plaque, types of stain, calculus, and related terminology and topics;

(g) Dental tissues surrounding the teeth and dental anatomy and nomenclature;

(h) Ergonomics of proper positioning of patient and dental assistant;

(i) General principles of dental instrumentation;

(j) Rationale for performing coronal polishing;

(k) Abrasive agents;

(l) Coronal polishing armamentarium;

(m) Warnings of trauma that can be caused by improper techniques in polishing;

(n) Clinical coronal polishing technique and demonstration;

(o) Reading component consisting of the topics established in paragraphs(a) to (n) of this subsection;

(p) Passing score of seventy-five (75) percent or higher on a written comprehensive examination covering the material listed in this subsection; and

(q) Passing score on a clinical competency examination performed on a live patient and supervised by a licensed dentist.

(3) The supervising dentist shall retain in the personnel file for the registered dental assistant a copy of the certificate issued for completion of the Coronal Polishing Course.

Section 5. X-rays by Registered Dental Assistants.

(1) A registered dental assistant may take x-rays only if the assistant has completed ten (10) hours of training that includes:

(a)

1. A six (6) hour course in dental radiography safety; and

2. A four (4) hour course in dental radiography technique; or

(b) Four (4) hours of instruction in dental radiography technique under the employment and supervision of the dentist in the office.

(2) The supervising dentist shall retain in the personnel file for the registered dental assistant a copy of the certificates issued for completion of courses in dental radiography safety and technique.

Section 6. Requirements for Starting Intravenous Access Lines.

(1) A registered dental assistant in Kentucky may only start intravenous (IV) access lines if the assistant:

(a) Does so under the direct supervision of a dentist who holds a sedation or anesthesia permit issued by the board; and

(b) Completesa board-approved course in starting IV access lines that includes:

1. Patient Safety Techniques;

2. Anatomy and physiology of the patient;

3. Techniques in starting and maintaining an IV access line; and

4. Appropriate methods of discontinuing an IV access line.

(2) The supervising dentist shall retain in the personnel file for the registered dental assistant a copy of the certificate issued for completion of the Starting Intravenous Access Lines Course.

Section 7. Incorporation by Reference.

(1) "Delegated Duties List", January 2023, is incorporated by reference.

(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Kentucky Board of Dentistry, 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 101, Louisville, Kentucky 40222, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This material is also available on the board's Web site at http://dentistry.ky.gov.

Notes

201 KAR 8:571

37 Ky.R. 1929; 2377; eff. 5-6-2011; 40 Ky.R. 2343; 41 Ky.R. 257; eff. 9-5-2014; Certified to be amended, filing deadline 12-1-2022; 49 Ky.R. 1759; eff. 3/9/2023.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 313.021(1)(a), (b), (c), 313.030(3), 313.045