Requirements

A. A licensee shall not allow dental assistants to perform oral radiography under any level of supervision that are not certified or in authorized training by the New Mexico board of dental health care. B. A licensee shall not allow dental assistants to perform coronal polishing, topical fluoride application, or application of pit and fissure sealants under general supervision without certification by the board. C. Dental assistants who perform oral radiography under any level of supervision are required to be certified by the board. Dental assistants who perform coronal polishing, application of topical fluoride or, application of pit and fissure sealants both intra and extra oral radiography under general supervision are required to be certified by the board except those enrolled in a recognized dental assisting program and complying with the following: (1) have completed the didactic portion of the radiography curriculum; (2) are exposing radiographs with supervision of a licensee or an assistant certified in radiography; and (3) if exposing x-rays on a human must have a written prescription from a dentist. D. Expanded function certification offered by the board is distinct from certification offered by DANB. DANB certification gives the individual the right to use the initials C.D.A after their name, but does not qualify the individual to perform expanded functions without being certified by the board. [16.5.33.8 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.33.8 NMAC, 5/31/2023] 16.5.33.9 EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY: A. Education requirements: (1) study by independent preparation or in a training course on radiation health and safety within the past 36 months; and (2) have assisted with or observed five cases of full mouth intra oral radiographic series or five extra oral radiographs if applying for a limited certificate. B. Examination requirements: (1) Pass the board or DANB written examination on radiation health and safety. (2) After passing the board or DANB written exam must apply to the board for a training permit which allows the dental assistant to perfect radiography technique. The permit is valid for six months after passing the written exam. (3) Pass the technique test demonstrating proficiency in the exposure of a full-mouth intra oral radiographic series or panoramic film as established by the board within six months of passing the written exam. (4) If an applicant chooses to provide only a panoramic film the certificate holder is limited to taking only extra oral films. (5) The technique test will be taken on a phantom or human patient. The applicant shall expose a full mouth intra oral radiographic series of radiographs or a panoramic film, develop, mount, and label the films. The exam must be done independently and submitted to the board office with an affidavit signed by the dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant certified in radiography attesting to the independent exam. The radiographs must be of diagnostic quality and will be graded by at least two board or committee members and serve as the technique test required for certification. (6) Pass the take home jurisprudence examination. (7) When extenuating circumstances exist as defined in 16.5.1.7 NMAC, and the dental assistant cannot submit to the board exposed radiographs, the dental assistant my request an extension of time. The request must be put in writing and submitted to the board office prior to the deadline. C. Exemptions: (1) A dental hygiene student enrolled in an accredited school of dental hygiene who having passed a curriculum in dental radiography, may be granted a certificate to expose radiographs without an examination. (2) A dental assistant certified to perform dental radiography in another state with requirements not less stringent than those in New Mexico may be certified based on credentials. 16.5.33 NMAC 3 [16.5.33.9 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.33.9 NMAC, 5/31/2023] 16.5.33.10 EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR RUBBER CUP CORONAL POLISHING AND APPLICATION OF TOPICAL FLUORIDE CERTIFICATION: A. Education requirements: Study by independent preparation or in a training course on rubber cup coronal polishing and application of topical fluoride and have assisted with or observed five cases of rubber cup coronal polishing on children and adults and five applications of topical fluoride. B. Examination requirements: (1) pass a board or DANB written examination on rubber cup coronal polishing and application of topical fluoride; (2) perform the technique while being personally observed by a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant certified in rubber cup coronal polishing and application of topical fluoride on five adults and children and five applications of topical fluoride on children; and (3) pass the take home jurisprudence examination. C. Exemptions: (1) a dental hygiene student enrolled in an accredited school of dental hygiene having passed a curriculum for rubber cup coronal polishing and application of topical fluoride may be granted a certificate without meeting the other requirements of this section; (2) a dental assistant who is certified to perform rubber cup coronal polishing and application of topical fluoride in another state with requirements not less stringent than those in New Mexico may be certified based on credentials; (3) a dental assistant who holds a current CDA certification issued by DANB may be issued a certificate for rubber cup coronal polishing and application of topical fluoride without meeting the other requirements of this section. [16.5.33.10 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.33.10 NMAC, 5/31/2023] 16.5.33.11 EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION OF PIT AND FISSURE SEALANTS CERTIFICATION: A. Experience requirements: The applicant must have 2080 hours of clinical chair side dental assisting within the two years prior to applying for certification. B. Education requirements: (1) study by independent preparation or a training course on pit and fissure sealant application; and (2) assisted with and observed application of 12 pit and fissure sealants. C. Examination requirements: (1) pass a board or DANB examination on the application of pit and fissure sealants; (2) following successful completion of the examination, apply pit and fissure sealants while being personally observed by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist on five patients; (3) pass the take home jurisprudence examination. D. Exemptions: (1) a dental hygiene student enrolled in an accredited school of dental hygiene having passed a curriculum for pit and fissure sealants and rubber cup coronal polishing, may be granted a certificate without meeting the other requirements of this section; (2) a dental assistant who is certified to perform application of pit and fissure sealants in another state with requirements not less stringent than those in New Mexico may be certified based on credentials.