The proposed bill, HB2639, amends current Arizona law regarding the qualifications for dental assistants to expose radiographs and polish teeth. Under the new provisions, dental assistants will be allowed to perform these tasks if they have completed a continuing dental education course recognized by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (BODEX), rather than solely passing a BODEX-approved examination as required by current law. This change aims to expand the qualifications for dental assistants by recognizing additional educational pathways.

Specifically, the bill introduces two new criteria for dental assistants: they must either pass a BODEX-approved examination or complete a recognized continuing education course on exposing radiographs or coronal polishing. This modification shifts the focus from just examination-based qualifications to include educational courses, thereby potentially increasing the number of dental assistants eligible to perform these functions under the supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-1291
House Engrossed Version: 32-1291