By: Ronda Holman
Are you looking to become a dental assistant or are moving as a current dental assistant? Make sure to check the dental assistant requirements in Virginia to see if you are still qualified in the state to practice.
Each state has different requirements for dental assistants, here are the levels, and functions permitted for dental assistants in Virginia.
Levels of Dental Assistants in Virginia
There are two levels of dental assistants in VA:
1. Dental Assistant I (DAI)
A dental assistant I (DA I) in Virginia may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the state dental practice act under the direction of a licensed dentist. There are no education or training requirements for this level of dental assisting.
A dental assistant (DA I or DA II) in Virginia who assists in the administration and monitoring of any form of minimal sedation, conscious/moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia must meet one of the following requirements:
- Training and current certification in basic resuscitation techniques with hands-on airway training for health care providers, such as Basic Cardiac Life Support for Health Professionals or a clinically oriented course devoted primarily to responding to clinical emergencies offered by an approved provider of continuing education, OR
- Current certification as a certified anesthesia assistant by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) or the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ADSA).
2. Dental Assistant II (DAII)
To qualify as a dental assistant II (DA II) by education, one must:
- Hold current certification as a DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), AND
- Successfully complete board-approved expanded functions requirements from a CODA-accredited program, AND
- Apply to the Virginia Board of Dentistry for registration.
To qualify for registration as a DA II by endorsement, one must:
- Hold current DANB CDA certification or certification from another national credentialing organization recognized by the American Dental Association, AND
- Be currently authorized to perform expanded duties in a jurisdiction of the United States, AND
- Hold a credential with qualifications substantially equivalent to the Virginia DA II requirements or document experience in the Virginia DA II functions for at least 24 of the 48 months preceding application, AND
- Be certified to be in good standing in each U.S. jurisdiction where currently or formerly credentialed, AND
- Not have committed any prohibited act, AND
- Apply to the Virginia Board of Dentistry for registration by endorsement.
All DA II applicants must attest that they have read and understood and will remain current with Virginia dental laws and regulations governing the practice of dentistry and dental assisting. A renewing Dental Assistant II must show proof of current DANB CDA certification and successful completion of training in basic CPR.
18VAC60-20-61 (B)(2), (3), and (4) of the Regulations Governing Dental Practice specifies four modules of laboratory training, clinical experience, and examination that may be completed in order to qualify for registration as a dental assistant II. The board interprets these provisions to permit someone to complete one or more of the modules to qualify for registration. An applicant does not have to complete all four modules. However, the educational institution offering the dental assistant II program has the discretion to decide how to structure its program.
A dental assistant (DA I or DA II) in Virginia who assists in the administration and monitoring of any form of minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia must meet one of the following requirements:
- Training and current certification in basic resuscitation techniques with hands-on airway training for health care providers, such as Basic Cardiac Life Support for Health Professionals or a clinically-oriented course devoted primarily to responding to clinical emergencies offered by an approved provider of continuing education OR
- Current certification as a certified anesthesia assistant by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) or the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ADSA).
- To learn more, visit the Virginia Board of Dentistry
- Information gathered from DaleFoundation.org
Virginia Radiography Requirements
To legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures in Virginia, a dental assistant must:
- Satisfactorily complete a radiation safety course and exam given by an institution that maintains a CODA-accredited dental assisting, dental hygiene, or dentistry program, OR
- Earn certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), OR
- Successfully complete the DANB RHS Review course offered by the DALE Foundation AND pass the national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam.
Any person who was qualified to place or expose dental x-ray film by satisfactorily completing a course and passing an examination in compliance with guidelines provided by the board prior to May 11, 2011, continues to be so qualified.
Photo by Kelly