45:6-55. Rules, procedure for registration
8. a. The board shall adopt rules and procedure for the registration of dental assistants and limited dental assistants. Every applicant for registration shall satisfactorily complete an examination approved by the board and a nationally recognized accrediting agency, which examination shall require the applicant to demonstrate that the applicant is capable of performing the functions of a registered dental assistant or limited registered dental assistant, as the case may be, and shall be administered within the State at least once each year at such time and place as the board designates, and
(1) Have satisfactorily completed and graduated from a training program for dental assistants accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation of Dental and Dental Auxiliary Educational Programs and approved by the board, or
(2) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent and at least two years' work experience as a dental assistant.
b. For three years from the date the first internship program is implemented pursuant to the provisions of section 10 or 11 of P.L.1995, c.367 (C.45:6-50.1 or C.45:6-50.2), a dental assistant or limited dental assistant may satisfy the work experience requirement of paragraph (2) of subsection a. of this section by completing at least six months' work experience as a dental assistant and have successfully completed a board approved internship in the office and under the direct supervision of a licensed New Jersey dentist. The internship for a registered dental assistant shall consist of three months' training in the office of a dental practitioner under a licensed dentist's direct supervision and the internship for a limited registered dental assistant shall consist of three months' training in the office of a dentist under a licensed dentist's direct supervision who has received a permit of limited dental practice in a specialty area from the board.
c. The board by rule or regulation shall specify those intra-oral procedures which may be performed by registered dental assistants and limited registered dental assistants, provided that such procedures shall not include those procedures which are traditionally performed by dental hygienists.
L.1979,c.46,s.8; amended 1995,c.367,s.3.