What happens if a dental assistant does not maintain their certification in Arizona?

If a dental assistant does not maintain their certification in Arizona, they must stop taking radiographs. In many states, including Arizona, dental assistants are required to hold specific certifications to perform certain tasks, such as taking radiographs. If they allow their certification to lapse, they are no longer legally allowed to perform those procedures until they have renewed their certification. This is important for ensuring that only qualified individuals are performing tasks that impact patient safety and the quality of care.

Maintaining certification not only reflects the knowledge and skills necessary to safely perform dental procedures but also ensures compliance with state laws and regulations designed to protect patients. Therefore, lapsed certification directly impacts the legal scope of practice for the dental assistant, particularly in specialized areas such as radiography.