BOARD APPROVED COURSES REQUIRED FOR

                                   DENTAL ASSISTANTS TO PERFORM DUTIES

                                        UNDER TITLE 5, SERIES 1, SECTION 8.2

            Upon submission of proof of successful completion of a program of education approved by the WV Board of Dental Examiners, a dental assistant may perform the following functions under the direct supervision of a dentist:

(o)       Applying topical anticariogenic agents after successful completion of a board-approved course and examination and with prior approval by the supervising dentist;

(p)       Applying pit and fissure sealants after successful completion of a board-approved course and examination and with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

(v)       Chemical conditioning of the tooth to accept a restoration and/or bracket by topical application after successful completion of a board-approved course and examination;

(w)      Using a power-driven hand piece with rubber cup and/or brush only for preparing a tooth for accepting a restoration and/or appliance, which shall in no way be represented to the patient as a prophylaxis, after successful completion of a board-approved course and examination;

(x)       Placing retraction cords for crown impressions after successful completion of a board-approved course and examination and with prior approval by the supervising dentist;

            The program of education shall include a minimum of six (6) hours of didactic instruction, successful completion of a written examination by a score of at least 75% (both of which have to be reviewed and approved by the Board prior to implementation), and documented clinical experiences by the supervising dentist.

             The supervising dentist shall personally observe the following successful tasks by a dental assistant after successful completion of an approved program and exam:

(a)       the application of topical anticariogenic agents on four (4) patients (subparagraph o.)

(b)       the application of six (6) pit and fissure sealants (subparagraph p.)

(c)       the topical chemical conditioning of six (6) teeth to accept a restoration and/or bracket (subparagraph v.)

(d)       using a power-driven hand piece with rubber cup and/or brush for preparing six (6) teeth for accepting a restoration and/or appliance (subparagraph w.)

(e)       placing retraction cord for crown impressions on six (6) teeth (subparagraph x.)

            Upon submission of proof of successful completion of a program of education approved by the WV Board of Dental Examiners, a dental assistant may perform the following functions under the direct supervision of a dentist:

(a)       placing or removing temporary space maintainers, orthodontic separating devices, ligatures, brackets and bands with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist at the time of placement or removal (subparagraph dd)

(b)       the topical chemical conditioning of six (6) teeth to accept a restoration and/or bracket (subparagraph v.)

(c)       using a power-driven hand piece with rubber cup and/or brush for preparing six (6) teeth for accepting a restoration and/or appliance (subparagraph w.)

            The program of education shall include a minimum of four (4) hours of didactic instruction, successful completion of a written examination by a score of at least 75% (both of which have to be reviewed and approved by the Board prior to implementation), and documented clinical experiences by the supervising dentist. The supervising dentist will personally observe and attest that the dental assistant is competent in performing the delegated intraoral tasks after successful completion of an approved program and exam.

            Please note that after July 28, 2005, a dental assistant will have to successfully complete a program approved by the WV Board of Dental Examiners in order to visually monitor a nitrous oxide analgesia unit (subparagraph ff.). The Board is currently developing these guidelines.