2279129 To ensure that dental assistants have sufficient education and training in administering ionizing radiation, in the form of x-rays, to patients prior to dental treatment

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

 

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

 

The Director of the Department of Health, pursuant to the authority set forth in section 302(14) of the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3-1203.02(14) (2007 Repl.)), and Mayor’s Order 98-140, dated August 20, 1998, hereby gives notice of the intent to take proposed rulemaking to amend  chapter 90 (Dental Assistants) of title 17 (Business, Occupations, and Professions) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR). The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure that dental assistants have sufficient education and training in administering ionizing radiation, in the form of x-rays, to patients prior to dental treatment.

 

The Director gives notice of the intent to take final rulemaking action to adopt the proposed rules in not less than thirty (30) days from date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.

 

Chapter 90 (DENTAL ASSISTANTS) of title 17 (BUSINESS, OCCUPATIONS, AND PROFESSIONS) is amended as follows:

 

Section 9002 (EDUCATION REQUIREMENT) is amended as follows:

 

Add a new subsection 9002.2 to read as follows:

 

9002.2             As a prerequisite to registration, a dental assistant shall present proof to the Board that he or she has completed a course in dental radiology that the Board deems satisfactory. 

 

Section 9005 (SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT) is amended as follows:

 

Subsection 9005.2 is amended to read as follows:

 

9005.2             Except as provided in § 9005.3 of this chapter, a dental assistant shall not place or expose dental x-ray film unless he or she has:

 

                        (a)        Satisfactorily completed a radiation course or examination                                                               recognized by the American Dental Association Continuing                                                             Education Recognition Program (CERP); or  

 

                        (b)        Been certified by the American Registry of Radiologic

                                    Technologists; or

 

                        (c)        Passed an examination given by the Dental Assisting National

                                    Board; or 

 

                        (d)       Been granted registration pursuant to § 9005.3.

 

           

            All persons desiring to comment on the subject of this proposed rulemaking should file comments in writing not later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.  Comments should be sent to the Department of Health, Office of the General Counsel, 899 North Capitol Street, N.E., 5^th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20002.  Copies of the proposed rules may be obtained between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, at the address listed above, or by contacting Angli Black, Administrative Assistant, at [e-mail], [phone].