A dental assistant in New Mexico CAN do the following under direct supervision of the supervising dentist:
– A dental assistant in New Mexico can provide support to a dentist under the supervision of a properly licensed dentist.
– There are x-ray licensing requirements in New Mexico for dental assistants. These are (from the Dental Assisting National Board website):
- Study by independent preparation or in a training course on radiation health and safety within the past 36 months,
- Have assisted with or observed five cases of full mouth series intraoral radiographs (or five extraoral radiographs, if applying for limited certificate),
- Pass the written exam on radiation health and safety administered by the NM Board of Dental Health Care, OR Pass the national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam,
- Apply to the NM Board of Dental Health Care for a training permit, valid for six months,
- Pass a state radiography clinical exam, within six months of passing either of the written exams listed above,
- Pass the New Mexico jurisprudence exam (take-home),
- Apply to the NM Board of Dental Health Care for certification to perform radiography
– Chart and inspect the mouth and teeth.
– Apply fluoride topically.
– Place a rubber dam.
– Take blood pressure, temperature and pulse.
– Give oral hygiene instructions.
A dental assistant in New Mexico 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.
New Mexico also offers a certificate in coronal polishing. For more information on the requirements, visit the New Mexico Dental Board.
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