Chapter D1 – Article 20. DHA Initial Qualifications

Sec. D1.20.100. DHA General Requirements.

The Board shall issue a dental health aide (DHA) certificate to a person who meets all the qualifications and requirements below:

1. applies on forms provided by the Board;
2. pays the application fees required;
3. if applying for certification as a Dental Health Aide Therapist Practitioner (DHATP), submits a current ADTEP issued DHATP credential document;
4. furnishes evidence satisfactory to the Board that the person has not engaged in conduct that is a ground for imposing disciplinary sanctions under chapter A-3 [investigations, discipline, suspension, or revocation];
5. furnishes evidence satisfactory to the Board that the person has completed the training and education requirements for the highest level of certification being sought, as follows:
   1. 20.100 [PDHA I: education and preceptorship]
   2. 20.200 [PDHA II: education, preceptorship and skillsets]
   3. 20.300 [DHAH: prerequisites, education, preceptorship and skillsets]
   4. 20.400 [EFDHA I: prerequisites, education and skillsets]
   5. 20.500 [EFDHA II: prerequisites and skillsets]
   6. 20.600 [DHAT: education and preceptorship]
   7. 20.700 [DHATP: prerequisites and credentialing];
6. furnishes evidence satisfactory to the Board that at the time of consideration of the application, the person is employed by the Indian Health Service or a tribe or tribal health organization operating a community health aide program in Alaska under the ISDEAA;
7. furnishes evidence satisfactory to the Board that the person will practice as a DHA, only when employed by the Indian Health Service or a tribe or tribal health organization operating a community health aide program in Alaska under the ISDEAA;
8. furnishes evidence satisfactory to the Board that the person will practice as a DHA only within the scope of practice of the certification granted including what is stated in D2.10.200 [scope of practice prior to certification as a DHA] except as required to satisfy the conditions for achieving the next level of certification or when practice would be permitted under section A3.10.030(i)(2)(D) [grounds for discipline; unprofessional conduct; duties and responsibilities];for a DHA the scopes of practice are defined in sections:
   1. 20.110(b) [PDHA I: supervision and scope of practice; scope of practice];
   2. 20.210(b) [PDHA II: supervision and scope of practice; scope of practice];
   3. 20.310(b) [DHAH: supervision and scope of practice; scope of practice;
   4. 20.410(b) [EFDHA I: supervision and scope of practice; scope of practice];
   5. 20.510(b) [EFDHA II: supervision and scope of practice; scope of practice];
   6. 20.610(b) [DHAT: supervision and scope of practice; scope of practice];
   7. 20.710(b) [DHATP: supervision and scope of practice; scope of practice]; or
9. furnishes evidence satisfactory to the Board that they will practice only under supervision identified in D2.10.100 [supervision of DHAs]; and
10. furnishes evidence satisfactory to the Board that the person maintains a current BLS certification.

Sec. D1.20.200. DHA Delayed Application.

An applicant for certification as a DHA who completed the required training more than 24 months prior to submitting an application for certification, must provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant:

1. meets all the requirements for initial certification by this Board D1.20.100 [DHA general requirements];
2. in the 24 month period preceding the application for initial certification by this Board has met the applicable requirements for continuing education set forth in chapter D-3 [DHA continuing education];
3. in the 24 months preceding the application for initial certification by the Board, under direct supervision of an appropriate supervisor as defined in D2.10.100 [supervision of DHAs] complete (1) or (2) below:
   1. 80 hours of direct supervision and demonstration of competence at least once in each procedure listed in the “Competencies” sections for which they are seeking certification; or
   2. demonstrate competence 8 times for each procedure listed in the “Competencies” sections in which they are seeking certification;
4. has not had an extended clinical absence between the completion of required training and the initial application; or if there has been an extended clinical absence between completion of a required training and the initial application, applicant has met the guidelines as set forth in requirements for re-entry D1.30.200 [DHA re-entry].

Sec. D1.20.300. DHA Certification by Credentials.

The Board may waive one or more of the requirements of sections D2.20.100 [PDHA I: education and preceptorship] through D2.20.700 [ DHATP: prerequisites and credentialing] for a person who provides evidence satisfactory to the Board that the person has healthcare training, education and experience at least equivalent in scope, quality, and difficulty to those imposed under these sections, provided the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant is adequately familiar with the CHAP program and will limit their practice to the scope of practice of DHAs under these Standards.