(a) Unless the dental assistant is registered under this chapter, a dental assistant may not:
(1) make a dental x-ray; or
(2) monitor the administration of nitrous oxide.
(b) The board may adopt and enforce rules requiring a dental assistant to register with the board to perform other dental acts as necessary to protect the public health and safety.
(c) The board shall maximize the efficient administration of this chapter by:
(1) developing a system to track the number of registrations held by a dental assistant under this chapter; and
(2) coordinating the times at which a dental assistant’s registrations must be renewed so that the times of registration, payment, notice, and imposition of penalties for late payment are similar and the administrative burden to the board and to the dental assistant is reduced.
(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), a dental assistant who is hired as a dental assistant for the first time and who has not previously been issued a registration to make dental x-rays may make dental x-rays without complying with this chapter until the first anniversary of the date the dental assistant is hired.