True or False: A dental assistant must stop all duties if their trainee status expires and registration has not been issued after 12 months.

The statement is true because in Iowa, the regulations governing the practice of dental hygiene and the use of dental assistants are quite specific regarding trainee status. When an individual is functioning under a trainee registration, they are allowed to assist with various dental tasks. However, this registration is time-sensitive and must be renewed or accompanied by a new registration to ensure that the individual remains qualified and compliant with state laws.

If the trainee status expires and a new registration has not been issued within the specified period, the dental assistant is no longer legally allowed to perform their duties. This requirement is designed to protect public health and safety by ensuring that all individuals performing dental procedures are properly qualified and registered with the appropriate regulatory authority. Consequently, the expiration of trainee status directly prohibits the assistant from continuing to work until registration is renewed.