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Coronal Polishing & Pit & Fissure Sealant Requirements
The below information is guidance we received from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) regarding coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealant requirements. Please reach out to us at email@magnifyd47.sg-host.com with any questions.
The TSBDE no longer issues certificates for applying pit and fissure sealants and performing coronal polishing. 22 Tex. Admin. Code §114.3(d) and §114.5(b) do still require that a dental assistant have the required education/qualifications to perform either service.
Because TSBDE no longer requires dental assistants to submit their certification, it is up to the dental assistant and the supervising dentist to ensure that the dental assistant meets the requirements under the rule before dental procedures may be delegated. If not, the dentist and the dental assistant may be subject to disciplinary action.
Pit and Fissure Sealants
Pursuant to 22 Tex. Admin. Code §114.3(d), a Texas-licensed dentist may delegate the application of pit and fissure sealants to a dental assistant if the dental assist has:
1) at least two years of experience as a dental assistant;
2) successfully completed a current course in basic life support; and
3) completed a minimum of 8 hours of education that includes clinical and didactic education in pit and fissure sealants taken through a CODA-accredited dental, dental hygiene, or dental assistant program approved by the Board whose course of instruction includes:
a. infection control;
b. cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
c. treatment of medical emergencies;
d. microbiology;
e. chemistry;
f. dental anatomy;
g. ethics related to pit and fissure sealants;
h. jurisprudence related to pit and fissure sealants; and
i. the correct application of sealants, including the actual clinical application of sealants.
Pursuant to 22 Tex. Admin. Code §114.3(f)(f), the dental assistant must comply with the Dental Practice Act and Board Rules in the application of pit and fissure sealants. Pursuant to §258.003 of the Dental Practice Act, the delegating dentist is responsible for all dental acts delegated to a dental assistant, including application of pit and fissure sealant.
Coronal Polishing
Pursuant 22 Tex. Admin. Code §114.5(b), a Texas-licensed dentist may delegate coronal polishing to a dental assistant if the dental assistant:
1) works under the direct supervision of the licensed dentist; and has
2) at least two years experience as a dental assistant; and either
a. completed a minimum of eight (8) hours of clinical and didactic education in coronal polishing taken through a dental school, dental hygiene school, or dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the Board. The education must include courses on:
i. oral anatomy and tooth morphology relating to retention of plaque and stain;
ii. indications, contraindications, and complications of coronal polishing;
iii. principles of coronal polishing, including armamentarium, operator and patient positioning, technique, and polishing agents;
iv. infection control procedures;
v. polishing coronal surfaces of teeth; and
vi. jurisprudence relating to coronal polishing; or
b. has either:
i. graduated from a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the board that includes specific didactic course work and clinical training in coronal polishing; or
ii. received certification of completion of requirements specified by the Dental Assisting National Board and approved by the Board.
Pursuant to 22 Tex. Admin. Code §114.5(e)(e), the dental assistant must comply with the Dental Practice Act and Board Rules in the act of coronal polishing. Pursuant to §258.003 of the Dental Practice Act, the delegating dentist is responsible for all dental acts delegated to a dental assistant, including coronal polishing.