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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
dental assistants; education
Purpose
Authorizes dental assistants who have passed an applicable continuing dental education course recognized by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (BODEX) to expose radiographs for dental diagnostic purposes or polish teeth, under the supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist.
Background
BODEX is the
regulatory body that oversees the licensing and practice of dental care in
Arizona. BODEX's duties include: 1) adopting and enforcing rules to regulate
the practice of dentists, supervised personnel and registered business
entities; 2) maintaining a record of BODEX's acts and proceedings, including
issuance, denial, renewal and suspension of licenses and complaints; 3)
establishing a standard of educational requirements, as prescribed;
4) determining the reputability of dental, dental therapy and dental hygiene
schools; 5) issuing licenses and restricted permits to eligible persons; 6)
investigating misconduct charges of licensees and those with restricted
permits; 7) issuing disciplinary action against licensees, certificate holders
and restricted permittees; 8) establishing criteria for the renewal of permits
relating to general anesthesia and sedation; and 9) any other duties necessary
to enforce the regulation of the dental profession (A.R.S.
§ 32-1207).
Current statute allows dental assistants to expose radiographs for dental diagnostic purposes, under the general supervision of a dentist or the direct supervision of a dental hygienist, if the dental assistant has passed a BODEX-approved examination. Similarly, dental assistants may polish the natural and restored surfaces of teeth under the general supervision of a dentist or the direct supervision of a dental hygienist, if the dental assistant has passed a BODEX-approved examination (A.R.S. § 32-1291).
A dental assistant is any person who acts as an assistant to a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist by rendering personal services to a patient that involve close proximity to the patient while the patient is under treatment or observation or undergoing diagnostic procedures (A.R.S. § 32-1201).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows dental assistants who have passed a BODEX-recognized continuing dental education course on exposing radiographs to expose radiographs for dental diagnostic purposes, under the supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist.
2. Allows dental assistants who have passed a BODEX-recognized continuing dental education course on coronal polishing to polish natural and restored surfaces of teeth, under the supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
RA 1/24/24 DP 6-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/6/24 41-14-2-0-3
Prepared by Senate Research
February 23, 2024
MM/slp