CHAPTER 22
DENTAL ASSISTANT RADIOGRAPHY QUALIFICATION
[Prior to 5/18/88, Dental Examiners, Board of[320]]
650—22.1(136C,153) Qualification required. A person who is not otherwise actively licensed by the board shall not participate in dental radiography unless the person holds a current registration certificate or active nursing license and holds an active radiography qualification issued by the board, and a dentist provides general supervision.
[ARC 8369B, IAB 12/16/09, effective 1/20/10]
650—22.2(136C,153) Definitions. As used in this chapter:
“Dental radiography” means the application of X-radiation to human teeth and supporting structures for diagnostic purposes only.
“Radiography qualification” means authorization to engage in dental radiography issued by the board.
650—22.3(136C,153) Exemptions. The following individuals are exempt from the requirements of this chapter.
	22.3(1) A student enrolled in an accredited dental, dental hygiene, or dental assisting program, who, as part of the student’s course of study, applies ionizing radiation.
	22.3(2) A person registered as a dental assistant trainee pursuant to 650—Chapter 20, who is engaging in on-the-job training in dental radiography and who is using curriculum approved by the board for such purpose.
650—22.4(136C,153) Application requirements for dental radiography qualification. Applications for dental radiography qualification must be filed on official board forms and include the following:
	22.4(1) Evidence of one of the following requirements:
	a. 	The applicant is a dental assistant trainee or registered dental assistant with an active registration status;
	b. 	The applicant is a graduate of an accredited dental assisting program; or
	c. 	The applicant is a nurse who holds an active Iowa license issued by the board of nursing.
	22.4(2) The fee as specified in 650—Chapter 15.
	22.4(3) Evidence of successful completion, within the previous two years, of a board-approved course of study in the area of dental radiography. The course of study must include application of radiation to humans pursuant to Iowa Code section 136C.3 and may be taken by the applicant:
	a. 	On the job while under trainee status pursuant to 650—Chapter 20, using board-approved curriculum;
	b. 	At a board-approved postsecondary school; or
	c. 	From another program prior-approved by the board.
	22.4(4) Evidence of successful completion of a board-approved examination in the area of dental radiography.
	22.4(5) Any additional information required by the board relating to the character, education, and experience of the applicant as may be necessary to evaluate the applicant’s qualifications.
650—22.5(136C,153) Examination requirements. An applicant for dental assistant radiography qualification shall successfully pass a board-approved examination in dental radiography.
	22.5(1) Examinations approved by the board are those administered by the board or board’s approved testing centers or, if taken after January 1, 1986, the Dental Assisting National Board Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination.
	22.5(2) A score of 75 or better on the board examination shall be considered successful completion of the examination. The board accepts the passing standard established by the Dental Assisting National Board for applicants who take the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety Examination.
	22.5(3) Information on taking the examination may be obtained by contacting the board office at 400 SW 8th Street, Suite D, Des Moines, Iowa 50309-4687.
	22.5(4) A dental assistant must meet such other requirements as may be imposed by the board’s approved dental assistant testing centers.
	22.5(5) A dental assistant who fails to successfully complete the examination after two attempts will be required to submit, prior to each subsequent examination attempt, proof of additional formal education in dental radiography in a program approved by the board or sponsored by a school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
650—22.6(136C,153) Renewal requirements. The dental assistant radiography qualification shall be renewed biennially at the time of registration renewal. Prior to July 1, 2007, the radiography qualification expired on June 30 of every odd-numbered year. A radiography qualification due to expire on June 30, 2007, shall be automatically extended until August 30, 2007, and expire August 31, 2007. Beginning July 1, 2007, the radiography qualification shall expire August 31 of every odd-numbered year.
	22.6(1) The board will notify each registrant by mail of the expiration of the radiography qualification.
	22.6(2) Application for renewal must be made in writing to the board at least 30 days before the radiography qualification expires.
	22.6(3) In order to renew a radiography qualification, the dental assistant shall obtain at least two hours of continuing education in the subject area of dental radiography. Proof of attendance shall be retained by the dental assistant and must be submitted to the board upon request.
	22.6(4) The dental assistant shall send the appropriate fee as specified in 650—Chapter 15 with the application for renewal of radiography qualification.
	22.6(5) Failure to renew prior to November 1 following expiration shall cause the radiography qualification to lapse and become invalid. A dental assistant whose radiography qualification is lapsed is prohibited from engaging in dental radiography until the qualification is reinstated in accordance with 650—22.7(136C,153).
	22.6(6) The board may refuse to renew a radiography qualification in accordance with 650—14.3(153).
650—22.7(136C,153) Reinstatement of lapsed radiography qualification. A dental assistant who allows a radiography qualification to lapse by failing to renew may be reinstated at the discretion of the board by submitting the following:
	22.7(1) A completed application for reinstatement of dental assistant radiography qualification.
	22.7(2) Payment of the radiography reinstatement fee of $60 and the current renewal fee.
	22.7(3) Proof of current registration as a dental assistant or dental assistant trainee or proof of an active Iowa nursing license.
	22.7(4) If the radiography qualification has been lapsed for less than four years, proof of two hours of continuing education in the subject area of dental radiography, taken within the previous two-year period.
	22.7(5) If the radiography qualification has been lapsed for more than four years, the dental assistant shall be required to retake and successfully complete an examination in dental radiography. A dental assistant who presents proof of a current radiography qualification issued by another state and who has engaged in dental radiography in that state is exempt from the examination requirement.
650—22.8(136C,153) Penalties.
	22.8(1) Any individual except a licensed dentist or a licensed dental hygienist who participates in dental radiography in violation of this chapter or Iowa Code chapter 136C shall be subject to the criminal and civil penalties set forth in Iowa Code sections 136C.4 and 136C.5.
	22.8(2) Any licensee who permits a person to engage in dental radiography or a registrant who engages in dental radiography contrary to this chapter or Iowa Code chapter 136C shall be subject to discipline by the board pursuant to 650—Chapter 30.
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 136C.3 and chapter 153.
[Filed 12/3/81, Notice 9/16/81—published 12/23/81, effective 7/1/82]
[Filed 12/12/85, Notice 9/11/85—published 1/1/86, effective 2/5/86]
[Filed 3/20/86, Notice 9/11/85—published 4/9/86, effective 5/14/86]
[Filed 10/3/86, Notice 8/13/86—published 10/22/86, effective 11/26/86]
[Filed 4/28/88, Notice 3/23/88—published 5/18/88, effective 6/22/88]
[Filed 11/21/90, Notice 8/22/90—published 12/12/90, effective 1/16/91]
[Filed 1/29/93, Notice 11/25/92—published 2/17/93, effective 3/24/93]
[Filed 1/27/95, Notice 11/23/94—published 2/15/95, effective 3/22/95]
[Filed 4/21/95, Notice 2/15/95—published 5/10/95, effective 6/14/95]
[Filed 5/1/97, Notice 2/26/97—published 5/21/97, effective 6/25/97]
[Filed 1/22/99, Notice 11/18/98—published 2/10/99, effective 3/17/99]
[Filed 10/23/00, Notice 8/9/00—published 11/15/00, effective 1/1/01]
[Filed 6/21/02, Notice 2/20/02—published 7/10/02, effective 1/1/03]
[Filed 7/1/04, Notice 5/12/04—published 7/21/04, effective 8/25/04]
[Filed emergency 6/30/05—published 7/20/05, effective 7/1/05]
[Filed 2/5/07, Notice 11/22/06—published 2/28/07, effective 4/4/07]
[Filed 1/10/08, Notice 11/7/07—published 1/30/08, effective 3/5/08]
[Filed ARC 8369B (Notice ARC 8044B, IAB 8/12/09), IAB 12/16/09, effective 1/20/10]