A dental assistant in Montana CAN do the following under direct supervision of the supervising dentist:
– A dental assistant in Montana can provide support to a dentist under the supervision of a properly licensed dentist.
– There are x-ray (radiography) licensing requirements in Montana for a dental assistant. To take x-rays (from the DANB website):
- Successfully complete the national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. After successful completion of the RHS exam, DANB will issue the assistant a DANB RHS certificate of knowledge-based competency. DANB will then send proof to the Montana Board of Dentistry (MBD) that the assistant passed the RHS exam. Dental assistants are not legally allowed to expose radiographs in Montana until they receive a certificate from DANB, OR
- Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, OR
- Hold a certification in dental radiography in another state, OR
- Hold a certification in dental radiography from the U.S. military.
– 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 Montana 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.
Montana also offers an expanded duty dental assistant certification. For more information, visit the DANB website.
– As of the date of this writing, Montana is in the process of creating an expanded duty requirements for expanded duty dental assistants.
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