A dental assistant in Kentucky CAN do the following under direct supervision of the supervising dentist:
– A dental assistant in Kentucky can provide support to a dentist under the supervision of a properly licensed dentist.
– There are x-ray licensing requirements. They are (from the Dental Assisting National Board website):
- Pass the national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, OR
- Successfully complete a CODA-approved course in radiation safety and technique, OR
- Complete a six-hour Kentucky Board-approved course in dental radiography safety* and complete one of the following:
- A minimum of four hours of instruction in dental radiography technique while under the employment and supervision of the dentist in the office, or
- A four-hour course in radiography technique approved by the Kentucky Board of Dentistry
– Chart and inspect the mouth and teeth.
– Apply topical anesthetic.
– Take blood pressure, temperature and pulse.
– Give oral hygiene instructions.
A dental assistant in Kentucky CANNOT do the following:
– Remove stains and deposits from teeth (clean teeth).
– Place sealants on the teeth.
– Apply stainless steel crowns or fillings
– Repair or fill cavities.
– Give or administer anesthetics (shots).
– Any other activities or duties of dentistry that are specifically limited to dentists or dental hygenists.
There are 2 expanded duty dental assistant categories in Kentucky:
– A registered dental assistant Kentucky that can:
- Place, carve and polish amalgam
- Apply flouride
- Place a rubber dam.
– A registered dental assistant qualified in coronal polishing Kentucky that can:
- Perform coronal polishing of the teeth
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