By: Natalie Kaweckyj, LDA, RF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPFDA, CRFDA, MADAA, BA
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 Georgia 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 Georgia.
Levels of Dental Assistants in Georgia
There are two levels of dental assistants in GA:
1. Dental Assistant
A dental assistant in Georgia may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the state dental practice act and by the rule of the Board under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
- A dental assistant must acquire appropriate training before performing phlebotomy and venipuncture procedures.
- To use rubber cup prophy on primary dentition, an assistant must complete a curriculum approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry or a minimum of eight hours of on-the-job training in the provision of rubber cup prophies by a dentist licensed to practice in Georgia. (Note: The Board has outlined course curriculum and eligibility requirements in an addendum to its policy manual – see page 12. Georgia Dental Policy Manual
2. Expanded Duty Dental Assistant
To perform expanded functions under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in the state of Georgia, a dental assistant must earn status as an Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA).
To qualify as an EDDA, one must:
- Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, AND
- Hold a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification, AND
- Provide a certificate documenting the successful completion of a Georgia Board-approved course pertaining to the specific expanded duties outlined in that certificate. (A national DANB Certified Dental Assistant [CDA] certification is one of the ways by which an assistant may qualify to enroll in a Georgia Board-approved course.)
Only those expanded duties listed on the certificate(s) may be performed by an EDDA.
Radiography Requirements for Dental Assistants in Georgia
In order to legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in GA, a dental assistant must:
- Complete a minimum of six (6) hours of instruction, in the content areas defined in the Georgia Department of Human Services x-ray requirements*.
- Instruction should begin within 30 days of initial employment and be completed no more than 90 days after employment begins. A record of training must be maintained by the employer.
- A dental assistant who shows written proof of completed x-ray training is considered to have satisfied the requirements of the Department of Human Services.
*Note: The DALE Foundation’s DANB RHS Review course meets the requirements of the GA Department of Human Services regulation 290-5-22-.04, X-Rays in the Healing Arts.
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