Radiology Permits and Approved Radiology Courses
Permit requirement
Mississippi does not let a dental auxiliary expose radiographs merely because the auxiliary holds a hygiene or assistant license. The Board requires a radiology permit, obtained after an approved course that includes didactic and clinical components, radiation safety, technique, and quality assurance. The permit is tied to the license and must be renewed and reported correctly.
Course and safety points
- The course must be Board-approved; online-only or employer-created training may not qualify.
- The permit holder may expose radiographs only under the supervision the rule specifies.
- Use proper technique, barriers, and processing to reduce retakes.
- Keep evidence of course completion for audit.
Worked example
A new dental assistant is asked to take bitewings on a busy Monday. She completed an unapproved weekend webinar but has no permit. The reasoning: the license does not authorize radiography, and the webinar is not an approved course. Exposing the images is a permit violation even if the images are diagnostic and the dentist is present.
Traps
- Confusing a dental hygiene license with a radiology permit.
- Taking a course that lacks the required clinical component.
- Letting the permit lapse while the hygiene license remains active.
- Assuming a dentist's presence cures a missing permit.