Special titles or certifications such as Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA) or Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) are not specifically recognized under Kentucky law and do not directly confer any special privileges (although any qualifying education received while earning such a title may be used to fulfill the expanded duty requirements below). Also, Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) simply refers to an assistant who has been registered by their employer dentist and is not a recognition of any special training or achievement.
Kentucky authorizes three expanded duties for dental assistants: coronal polishing, radiography, and intravenous access lines. Pursuant to state law, dental assistants can only perform these duties if they have the qualifying education and training described below. However, dental assistants are not required to provide transcripts, certificates of completion, or other verification of training to the Board. Instead, it is the responsibility of employer dentist to verify the required training and to keep copies of any documentation on file to be produced upon request. Failure on the part of the dental assistant to obtain the required training or of the employer dentist to properly document the training are grounds for disciplinary action.
Coronal Polishing
To perform coronal polishing under the supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must complete an eight-hour course from an educational institution accredited by the Council on Dental Accreditation (CODA). See Section 3 of
201 KAR 8:571 for the complete coronal polishing requirement.
Radiographs
To take X-rays under the supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must complete a six-hour course in dental radiography safety and four hours of instruction in dental radiographic technique. The radiographic technique requirement may be satisfied either by taking a four-hour course or by completing four hours of in-office training provided under the supervision of the dentist. See Section 4 of
201 KAR 8.571 to read the radiography rule in its entirety.
Intravenous Access Lines
To start IV access lines under the supervision of a licensed dentist who holds a sedation or anesthesia permit, a dental assistant must complete a Board-approved course that addresses patient safety, anatomy and physiology, and techniques for starting and maintaining IV lines. Visit the Course Approval page to see currently approved classes. See Section 5 of
201 KAR 8.571 for more details.