Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0460-04-.10 - RESTORATIVE AND PROSTHETIC CERTIFICATIONS

(1) Dental assistants who have a minimum of two (2) years continuous full-time employment within the past three (3) years in a dental practice as a dental assistant are eligible for admission to a Board-approved certification course in restorative and/or prosthetic functions. A registered dental assistant must apply for and complete a Board-approved certification course in restorative or prosthetic functions and obtain the appropriate certification, issued by the Board, before he/she can perform expanded restorative or prosthetic functions on any patient.

(2) Certification in restorative or prosthetic functions is only valid as long as the registered dental assistant has a current authorization to practice as a registered dental assistant. If the authorization expires or is retired, the certification is also considered expired or retired and the dental assistant may not perform restorative or prosthetic functions until the authorization to practice is reinstated or reactivated.

(3) Registered dental assistants who possess a certification in restorative or prosthetic functions shall prominently display their current renewal certificate at their place of employment.

(4) Registered dental assistants with certification in restorative or prosthetic functions may perform restorations or prosthetic functions only under the direct supervision and full responsibility of a licensed dentist.

(5) Prohibited Procedures - The following procedures are prohibited for all dental assistants, including those who have certification in restorative or prosthetic functions:

(a) Restorative Functions

1. Diagnosing of need for restorations;

2. Preparation/Cutting of the tooth or soft tissue;

3. Modifying existing structure;

4. Removal of caries, bases and liners; and

5. Use of high-speed handpieces intraorally.

(b) Prosthetic Functions

1. Diagnosing need for any prosthetic appliance;

2. Establishing vertical dimension of occlusion and interocclusal records;

3. Delivering and/or adjusting appliance; and

4. Use of high-speed handpieces intraorally.

(6) Registered dental assistants, who have successfully completed a comparable assistant training program in another state in expanded restorative or prosthetic functions, are eligible to apply directly to the Board for an expanded functions certificate without additional training, provided the course is determined by the Board consultant to be equivalent to the Board-approved course in Tennessee. The information regarding content of the course and proof of completion must be sent directly from the course provider to the Board's administrative office. If a certification or permit was issued by the other state, verification of the certificate or permit must be received directly from the other board. If it is determined that the course is not equivalent, the registered dental assistant will be required to comply with the provisions of paragraph (1) before certification can be issued.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0460-04-.10

Original rule certified June 7, 1974. Repeal filed December 11, 1991; effective January 25, 1992. Original rule filed August 3, 2005; effective October 17, 2005. Amendment filed October 12, 2007; effective December 26, 2007. Amendment filed September 30, 2014; effective 12/29/2014.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-5-105, 63-5-108, and 63-5-115.