1. (a) Any person performing radiologic procedures under the supervision of a Texas licensed dentist must register with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). This registrant may perform, by the direct oral or written order(s) of the licensed dentist, any radiographs required for the diagnosis of the maxillofacial complex.
2. (b) This section does not apply to registered nurses or persons certified under the Medical Radiologic Technologist Certification Act.
3. (c) A dental hygienist who is licensed and currently registered in this state shall be deemed to be registered for the purpose of performing radiologic procedures.
4. (d) There will be no additional fee for the registration of qualified people defined under this section. The current registration fee paid by the employing licensee will adequately cover costs. An examination materials charge, not to exceed $30, payable to Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, will be assessed to those requiring examination under the provisions of this Act.
5. (e) Dental assistants who meet the minimum standards established by these rules shall be listed on the annual registration notice of their present employing dentist (Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4551e-1(3)). This notice will be available for inspection in the office of the licensee.

6. (f) A registered dentist may certify that a dental assistant is qualified to perform radiographic procedures if any one of the following criteria is met:

   1. (1) be a currently certified dental assistant by meeting criteria established by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.;
   2. (2) have taken and passed the dental radiation health and safety examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.;

   3. (3) has taken and passed an examination specified by the TSBDE. This test shall be constructed by a radiologic advisory committee appointed by the board. Essential areas of testing shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:

      1. (A) radiation protection for the patient and others;
      2. (B) radiographic equipment including safety standards, operations, and maintenance;
      3. (C) image production and evaluation;
      4. (D) applied human dental anatomy;
      5. (E) radiographic techniques.
7. (g) Dental assistants who are not qualified under the provisions of this section, shall be allowed to perform necessary diagnostic radiographs under the direct supervision of the dentist as a part of their training and as a part of their examination.
8. (h) Any new dental assistants, with no previous experience in dentistry, will have up to six months to come into compliance with the provisions of these regulations if they are to perform radiographic procedures.
9. (i) Any dental assistant (who qualifies under this rule) hired by the licensee after he or she has submitted his or her annual registration notice, shall be deemed registered if the licensee lists the assistant's name and date of employment on the back of the registration notice.
10. (j) All dental radiologic procedures can be performed by and person qualified and certified under this section.

11. (k) Registration may be suspended, revoked, or not renewed for the following reasons:

    1. (1) violation of the rules of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners;
    2. (2) violation of the Medical Radiologic Technologist Certification Act or rules promulgated thereunder; or
    3. (3) violation of the Texas Dental Practice Act.
12. (l) All registrants must comply with the rules and regulations of the Texas Department of Health for control of radiation.
13. (m) These rules are effective January 1, 1989.

Source Note:The provisions of this §115.10 adopted to be effective December 22, 1988, 13 TexReg 6075; amended to be effective January 3, 1990, 14 TexReg 6756; amended to be effective February 20, 1992, 17 TexReg 1096; amended to be effective March 10, 1993, 18 TexReg 1164.