Which States That Don’t Require X-Ray Certification and Why They Should

As a dental assistant, you’ll be working under the direct supervision of a dentist. Your duties will include patient preparation for dental work, preparing equipment for procedures, chairside assistance, infection control, and a host of other tasks. As a front desk assistant, you may also have to manage patient records, handle billing, schedule appointments, etc.

Your State of employment will usually regulate what types of duties you are allowed to perform. Keep in mind that dental assistants who conduct specific responsibilities will be required by their respective States to complete training and obtain certification. In terms of radiation (X-ray) certification for dental assistants, several States don’t need any certification. These are as follows:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska – Alaska does not have a State licensing requirement but does require formal training to perform radiologic services.
  • Idaho
  • Michigan – Michigan requires certification only for those operating mammography equipment.
  • Missouri
  • Nevada – The same as Michigan.
  • New Hampshire
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota – Like Alaska, South Dakota doesn’t require certification, but dental assistants need at least 16 hours of training.

If you would like to take on additional responsibilities, however, work in a different State that requires licensing, or thinking of furthering your career, obtaining a radiation safety certification would be beneficial.

The rest of the States not mentioned in the list above will require some form of radiation safety certification. You will need to check your State’s regulations to see what those requirements and certificates imply.

In California, for instance, the program will need to be long enough for each student to develop the minimum competence required for handling radiation safety techniques. In any case, the program can’t be less than 32 hours long, which will include at least 8 hours of didactic instruction, 12 hours of laboratory instruction, and at least 12 hours of clinical education.

What Will You Learn and Why

Dental radiation safety certifications involve learning the appropriate and safe use of radiologic equipment such as X-ray machine for imaging teeth and facial bones, the proper administration of dental radiology procedures, how to process developed X-ray films, etc. You will also be taught about the health risks associated with ionizing radiation, about safe and unsafe radiation levels, dental anatomy, examination procedures, as well as personal and patient safety techniques. The programs may also provide basic radiology and biology information.

All of these will help dental assistants in learning about radiation safety for themselves, patients, coworkers, as well as the biological and cumulative effects of re-exposure to radiation.

Earning a radiation safety certification will allow applicants to add more complex duties to their job as a dental assistant. These certificates can also aid in working towards other careers such as a dental hygienist or something that focuses exclusively on radiology, such as a dental X-ray technician.

Due to the complex nature and potentially dangerous misuse of radiation, many States will require some formal training and certification in radiation safety. At Dental Specialties Institute, Inc., we provide three courses on X-ray safety: