To perform expanded functions under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in the state of South Dakota, a dental assistant must earn status as a Registered Dental Assistant. To qualify, one must:
(1) Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent AND
(2) Hold a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR certification AND
(3a) Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program or another dental assisting program or expanded functions course approved by the South Dakota State Board of Dentistry (SDSBD) or
(3b) Hold current national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, or
(3c) Hold a certificate of competency from the SDSBD*,AND
(4) Apply to the SDSBD for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant.
*Note: To earn a certificate of competency from the SDSBD, a candidate must pass a written exam on expanded functions administered by the SDSBD or DANB and present written documentation from a South Dakota dentist attesting to clinical proficiency after performing expanded functions under the dentist's personal supervision for at least 180 days.
Administration of Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Analgesia: A Registered Dental Assistant may apply for a permit to administer nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia under the direct supervision of a dentist. To qualify, a Registered Dental Assistant must:
(1) Be certified in administering basic life support by the American Heart Association for the Healthcare Provider or the American Red Cross for the Professional Rescuer program, AND
(2a) Have completed an SDSBD-approved educational course meeting specified requirements within 13 months of application OR
(2b) Have complete an SDSBD-approved educational course more than 13 months prior to application and have legally administered nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia for a period of time during the three years preceding application and provide written documentation from an employing/ supervising dentist attesting to clinical proficiency.
Monitoring Patients Under General Anesthesia, Deep Sedation, or Moderate Sedation: Registered Dental Assistants and dental assistants may apply for a permit to monitor patients under general anesthesia, deep sedation or moderate sedation. To qualify, an assistant must:
(1) Be certified in administering basic life support by the American Heart Association for the Healthcare Provider or the American Red Cross for the Professional Rescuer program, AND
(2a) Have completed an SDSBD-approved educational course in anesthetic assisting of at least eight hours within 13 months of application OR
(2b) Have completed an SDSBD-approved educational course in anesthetic assisting of at least eight hours more than 13 months prior to application and have legally monitored patients receiving analgesic or anesthetic agents for a period of time during the two years preceding application and provide written documentation from an employing/supervising dentist attesting to clinical proficiency.
Injection of Medication: A dentist holding a permit to administer general anesthesia/deep sedation or moderate sedation may authorize a Registered Dental Assistant or dental assistant, under the personal and direct visual supervision of the dentist and upon the dentist's verbal command, to inject medication that the supervising dentist has drawn up through an intravenous (IV) site if the following requirements have been met:
(1) The assistant holds a permit to monitor patients under general anesthesia, deep sedation or moderate sedation, AND
(2) The assistant has passed the Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination (DAANCE) administered by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and be currently DAANCE-certified, AND
(3) The supervising dentist holds a permit to administer general anesthesia and deep sedation or moderate sedation.
Intravenous Line Administration: Registered Dental Assistants and dental assistants may start an intravenous line if they have taken a board-approved anesthesia assisting course and received intravenous line training.
Learn more about DANB's Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification
CODA-Accredited Dental Assisting Programs