Radiology Course for Dental Assistants

One of the all time challenges we face in dentistry is finding good, well trained dental assistants. This is especially true since the onset of Covid19. Those of us who practice in rural areas have an even more difficult time finding trained assistants due to the lack of assistants available in the general area and inaccessibility of training programs. Fortunately dental assistants in the State of Utah do not need to be licensed to work in a dental office. They can obtain their training either by completing a dental assistant course or be trained in a dental office. Regardless of their training, in order for dental assistants to expose radiographs on patients, they must successfully complete an approved radiology course. Dental assistants who receive training through a licensed and certified dental assisting course, approved by DOPL and accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation, will have the approved course included in the curriculum. Those who are trained in a dental office will need to pass a the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety Examination or a radiology exam approved by the Board that meets the criteria established in Section R156-69-6039(11) of the Dentist and Dental Hygiene Practice Act Rule for the State of Utah.

For years, those of us in my office looked forward to the annual UDA convention at the Salt Palace Convention Center. It was an opportunity to bond as coworkers. It was also a great opportunity to have our new assistants take the radiology course offered to obtain their certification. Up until 2003, the convention ran from Thursday to Saturday. The radiology course was offered on the Saturday, along with other valuable convention courses. From 2004 until 2007 the convention was scaled back and the radiology course was the only course held on Saturday. It was great to have the course available, but taking the course meant staying an additional night in a hotel. In 2008 the UDA moved the radiology course to Friday and made it available along side the other convention courses. This was a big help to those of us who had to travel long distances to attend. This format continued until 2018. Offering an annual course was helpful, but it failed to meet the needs of dental offices who hired dental assistants throughout the year. Sensing a need to provide the course on an as needed basis, Dr. Val Radmall, the executive director of the UDA met with Larry Marx, the DOPL Bureau Manager for the Dentist and Dental Hygiene Board to get an online radiology course approved. In 2019 the Utah Dental Association produced a Radiology Course that met all the DOPL requirements and is continuously available for those who need certification. This is a member benefit that has greatly helped dental offices train assistants to legally to take radiographs. UDA members can access the online webinar type course for their assistants at no charge from the homepage at www.uda. org by clicking on the Online Course & Events – Radiology Course-Assistants banner. By clicking on the UDA Members Free Access. A page will populate that will allow the dentist or assistant to enter the dentist’s ADA number. It is then checked with the ADA Database and allows them to proceed without paying the fee.

Non ADA-UDA affiliated individuals interested in taking the course will be charged $35, which is a real bargain for the money. The course is for individual participants and not intended for groups. It is approximately 60 minutes in length, followed by a short quiz. After completing the quiz the participant will be able to print a certificate that states they have completed the approved radiology course. One thing to note, the UDA does not keep a record of the participants that take this course. It is the responsibility of the participant to keep the certificate to prove their certification in radiology. If the certificate is lost the course will need to be completed again.

This radiology certification course is just one of the many benefits offered by the Utah Dental Association to save it’s members time and money. Organized dentistry is the backbone of our profession. It provides the support that makes us, year in and year out, one of the most trusted and respected professions. The UDA is always searching for ways to improve dentistry. They do this by sponsoring legislation that is profession friendly, providing tools for practice management and offering continuing education courses. The results of which makes dentistry in the United States the envy of dental world. Dr Len Aste UDA Secretary

Text to: 801 -261 -5315

1. Include your First and Last Name 2. Your interests to get involved:

a) House of Delegates - Governance b) UDA Action Committee - Publications c) UDPAC Committee – Legislation d) I know my legislators – Name them & connection e) I’d be willing to be a Collaborative Dentist