An applicant for a registration to practice as a registered dental assistant shall submit to the State Board of Dentistry:

1. (1) A completed application form and an application fee of forty-five dollars;
2. (2) A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate or equivalent documentation;

3. (3) Proof of one of the following:

   1. (a) Graduation from an American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited dental assisting program;
   2. (b) Current certification as a Certified Dental Assistant through the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; or
   3. (c) Completion of a program approved by the State Board of Dentistry pursuant to § 20:43:08:05 resulting in a registered dental assistant certificate of competency;
4. (4) A certified letter verifying the registration number and status of the registration from the board of dentistry in each state in which the applicant is or has been registered to perform expanded functions; and

5. (5) A copy of the applicant’s current, board approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation card from the American Heart Association for the Healthcare Provider, American Red Cross for the Professional Rescuer, or an equivalent program approved by the State Board of Dentistry.

   Applicants who have completed a CODA accredited dental assisting program or obtained a certificate of competency must apply within five years of completion of the program or, if the program was completed more than five years prior to application, must have legally provided expanded functions within five years preceding application. The board may require written documentation verifying the current clinical proficiency of the applicant to perform expanded functions from a dentist who has employed or supervised the applicant within the five years prior to application.

   The State Board of Dentistry may issue a registration to practice as a registered dental assistant to an applicant who is at least eighteen years of age and meets the requirements in this section. A registered dental assistant may perform expanded functions under the direct supervision of a dentist as authorized by this article.

Source: 19 SDR 32, effective September 6, 1992; 42 SDR 19, effective August 17, 2015 ; 46 SDR 75, effective December 4, 2019 ; 50 SDR 64, effective November 29, 2023 .

General Authority: SDCL 36-6A-14 (20), 36-6A-50 (15) .

Law Implemented: SDCL 36-6A-14 (6)(7), 36-6A-41 , 36-6A- 50 (15) .

Prior versions effective: 2019-12-04, 2015-08-17, 1992-09-06.