650—20.2 (153) Definitions. As used in this chapter:
“Dental assistant” means any person who, under the supervision of a dentist, performs any extraoral services including infection control or the use of hazardous materials or performs any intraoral services on patients. The term “dental assistant” does not include persons otherwise actively licensed in Iowa to practice dental hygiene or nursing who are engaged in the practice of said profession.
“Direct supervision” means that the dentist is present in the treatment facility, but it is not required that the dentist be physically present in the treatment room while the registered dental assistant is performing acts assigned by the dentist.
“General supervision” means that a dentist has examined the patient and has delegated the services to be provided by a registered dental assistant, which are limited to all extraoral duties, dental radiography, intraoral suctioning, and use of a curing light and intraoral camera. The dentist need not be present in the facility while these services are being provided.
“Personal supervision” means the dentist is physically present in the treatment room to oversee and direct all intraoral or chairside services of the dental assistant and a licensee or registrant is physically present to oversee and direct all extraoral services of the dental assistant.
“Public health supervision” means all of the following:
	      1. 	  The dentist authorizes and delegates the services provided by a registered dental assistant to a patient in a public health setting, with the exception that services may be rendered without the patient’s first being examined by a licensed dentist;
	      2. 	  The dentist is not required to provide future dental treatment to patients served under public health supervision;
	      3. 	  The dentist and the registered dental assistant have entered into a written supervision agreement that details the responsibilities of each licensee/registrant, as specified in subrule 20.16(2); and
	      4. 	  The registered dental assistant has an active Iowa registration and a minimum of one year of clinical practice experience.
“Trainee status expiration date” means the date established by the board office which is 12 months from a person’s first date of employment as a dental assistant. The trainee status expiration date is the date by which a trainee must successfully complete requirements and become registered as a dental assistant, pursuant to Iowa Code section 153.39.
[ARC 8369B, IAB 12/16/09, effective 1/20/10; ARC 0465C, IAB 11/28/12, effective 1/2/13; ARC 2028C, IAB 6/10/15, effective 7/15/15]