In order to legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in Georgia, a dental assistant must complete a minimum of six 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 Georgia Department of Human Services regulation 290-5-22-.04, X-Rays in the Healing Arts.
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A dental assistant in the state of Georgia may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the state dental practice act and by rule of the Board under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
There are no education or training requirements for this level of dental assisting.
A dental assistant must acquire appropriate training before performing phlebotomy and venipuncture procedures.
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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:
1. Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, AND
2. Hold a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification, AND
3. Provide a certificate documenting 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.
Learn more about DANB's Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification
Note: The Georgia legislature passed a law in the 2017 legislative session that allows dental assistants to use rubber cup prophy on a patient with primary dentition under direct supervision. The Georgia Board of Dentistry is currently in the process of developing rules to establish training and education requirements for this function.