Section 0460-04-.09 - SEALANT APPLICATION CERTIFICATIONA registered dental assistant with this certification may only practice sealant application under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
(1) Definition - Sealant application shall mean the application of an organic polymer to the enamel surfaces of teeth.(2) Qualifications for Certification(a) Registered dental assistants in good standing with the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, pursuant to Rule 0460-04-.02, are eligible to take a Board-approved sealant application certification course.(b) Individuals enrolled in either an ADA-accredited or Board-approved dental assisting program, which has elected to include in its curriculum the Board-approved sealant application certification course, will be qualified to perform the application of sealants upon issuance of the certification. All such programs shall adhere to the requirements of Rule 0460-05-.03(3).(c) Registered dental assistants who have successfully completed a comparable assistant training program in another state in the application of sealants are eligible to apply directly to the Board of Dentistry for a sealant application certificate without additional training, provided the course is determined by the Board consultant to be equivalent to the Board-approved course in Tennessee. The information regarding content of the course and proof of completion must be sent directly from the course provider to the Board's administrative office. If a certification or permit was issued by the other state, verification of the certificate or permit must be received directly from the other board.(d) After successful completion of a Board-approved certification course, if required, and receipt of proper notification from the course/instructor, an applicant will be issued an initial approval letter. The applicant's certification will be ratified at the next scheduled meeting of the Board.(3) Supervision (a) Sealant application may only be performed under the direct supervision of a Tennessee licensed dentist.(b) The dentist must examine the patient immediately before and after sealant application to determine the need for, and evaluate the results of, sealant application.(4) Retention of Certification - Certification in sealant application is only valid as long as the registered dental assistant has a current registration to practice registered dental assisting. If the registration expires or is retired, the certification is also considered expired or retired, and the dental assistant may not apply sealants until the registration is reinstated or reactivated.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0460-04-.09
Original rule certified June 7, 1974. Amendment filed August 26, 1980; effective December 1, 1980. Repeal filed December 11, 1991; effective January 25, 1992. New rule filed September 17, 2003; effective December 1, 2003. Amendment filed October 12, 2007; effective December 26, 2007.Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-5-105, 63-5-108, 63-5-115, and 63-5-116.