Action | Registration and practice of dental assistants |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 11/12/2008 |
The issue of dental technicians scaling and polishing teeth has been addressed by the military long ago. I would estimate that such technicians, well-trained and supevised, safely and effectivey provided preventive dental services to include scaling and polishing of teeth to approximately 90% of active duty personnel. Surely there is a comparable patient population that would be well-served in the private practice environment. The training model is already established.
I would encourage the Board to favorably consider this and other expanded duties. Specifically, there is a role in oral and maxillofacial surgery for dental assistants trained in venipuncture and monitoring of sedation and anesthesia. The key to success in expanded duties is training and supervision.