IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL DENTAL ASSISTANTS.  THERE WILL BE MANY CHANGES TO THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR THE DENTAL ASSISTING PROFESSION STARTING IN 2009.  PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT.  AT THE END OF THIS SYNOPSOSI THERE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!!!!   PLEASE READ THESE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY.

Dental Assisting Statutes and Regulations

(Throughout this document, the term “B&P” means “Business and Professions Code”)

The following information describes the scope of practice, educational and/or work experience requirements and other important information related to the following categories of dental assistants:  the DA, RDA, and EF licensure categories; Orthodontic Assistant and Dental Sedation Assistant permit categories.

1.  Unlicensed Dental Assistants

a. Duties.  B&P Section 1750.1 places into statute the duties that regulations currently allow DAs to perform, with the addition of certain duties.  Following are all of the duties, with new duties noted in italics:

   (a) A dental assistant may perform the following duties under the general supervision of a supervising licensed dentist:
      (1) Extra-oral duties or procedures specified by the supervising licensed dentist, provided that those duties or procedures meet the definition of a basic supportive procedure specified in Section 1750.
      (2) Operate dental radiography equipment for the purpose of oral radiography if the dental assistant has complied with the requirements of Section 1656.
      (3) Perform intraoral and extraoral photography
   (b) A dental assistant may perform the following duties under the direct supervision of a supervising dentist:
      (1) Apply non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents
      (2) Apply topical fluoride  
      (3) Take intraoral impressions for all nonprosthodontic appliances 
      (4) Take facebow transfers and bite registrations 
      (5) Place and remove rubber dams or other isolation devices
      (6) Place, wedge, and remove matrices for restorative procedures
      (7) Remove post-extraction dressings after inspection of the surgical site by the supervising licensed dentist
      (8) Perform measurements for the purposes of orthodontic treatment
      (9) Cure restorative or orthodontic materials in operative site with a light-curing device
      (10) Examine orthodontic appliances  
      (11) Place and remove orthodontic separators 
      (12) Remove ligature ties and arch wires 
      (13) After adjustment by the dentist, examine and seat removable orthodontic appliances and deliver care instructions to the patient
      (14) Remove periodontal dressings
      (15) Remove sutures after inspection of the site by the dentist
      (16) Place patient monitoring sensors 
      (17) Monitor patient sedation, limited to reading and transmitting information from the monitor display during the intraoperative phase of surgery for electrocardiogram waveform, carbon dioxide and end tidal carbon dioxide concentrations, respiratory cycle data, continuous noninvasive blood pressure data, or pulse arterial oxygen saturation measurements, for the purpose of interpretation and evaluation by a supervising licensed dentist who shall be at the patient’s chairside during this procedure. 
      (18) Assist in the administration of nitrous oxide when used for analgesia or sedation.  A dental assistant shall not start the administration of the gases and shall not adjust the flow of the gases unless instructed to do so by the supervising licensed dentist who shall be present at the patient's chairside during the implementation of these instructions. This paragraph shall not be construed to prevent any person from taking appropriate action in the event of a medical emergency.
   (c) Under the supervision of a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, a dental assistant may perform intraoral retraction and suctioning.
   (d) The board may specify additional allowable duties by regulation.
   (e) The duties of a dental assistant or a dental assistant holding a permit in orthodontic assisting or in dental sedation do not include any of the following procedures unless specifically allowed by law:
      (1) Diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning.
      (2) Placing, finishing, or removing permanent restorations.
      (3) Surgery or cutting on hard and soft tissue including, but not limited to, the removal of teeth and the cutting and suturing of soft tissue.
      (4) Prescribing medication.
      (5) Starting or adjusting local or general anesthesia or oral or parenteral conscious sedation, except for the administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen, whether administered alone or in combination with each other and except as otherwise provided by law.
   (f) The duties of a dental assistant are defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1750 and do not include any duty or procedure that only an orthodontic assistant permitholder, dental sedation assistant permitholder, registered dental assistant, registered dental assistant in extended functions, registered dental hygienist, or registered dental hygienist in alternative practice is allowed to perform.

b. Required Courses.  B&P Section 1750 retains the SB1546/SB1541 statutory requirement that unlicensed DAs who are in a dentist’s continuous employment 120 days or more must complete, within a year of the date of employment, a course in basic life support, a board-approved course in infection control, and a board-approved course in the California Dental Practice Act. 

B&P Section 1756 provides that the board-approved infection control course must be at least 8 hours in length.

2.  Orthodontic Assistants (OAs) and Dental Sedation Assistants (DSAs)

a. Permit Requirements. B&P Sections 1750.2 and 1750.4 establish Orthodontic Assistant (OA) and Dental Sedation Assistant (DSA) permit categories, which require completion of 12 months of work experience as a DA, completion of a board-approved OA or DSA course which may commence after 6 months of work experience, a written examination, and completion of board-approved courses in the California Dental Practice Act, infection control, and basic life support.  These permits must be maintained in the same manner as other licenses, including renewal and required CE.

b.  Course Requirements. B&P Sections 1756.1 and 1756.2 specifies that the OA course must be a minimum of 84 hours, and the DSA course a minimum of 110 hours, and that both must be board-approved.  B&P Sections 1754.5, 1755, 1756.1 and 1756.2 specify the requirements that courses must meet to obtain Board approval.

c.  RDAs Seeking OA or DSA Permits.  OA and DSA permits may be applied for prior to RDA licensure, or an RDA may apply for such permits post-RDA licensure.  

d. OA Duties. B&P Section 1750.3 specifies the duties of an OA as:

e.  DSA Duties.  B&P Section 1750.5 specifies the duties of a DSA as:

f.  Overlapping RDA and OA Duties. RDAs will be allowed to continue to perform the overlapping OA duties that they are currently allowed to perform without seeking an OA permit (placing ligature ties and archwires, removing orthodontic bands, and removing excess cement from tooth surfaces with a hand instrument), and RDAs applying for an OA permit will not be required to complete further training in such duties.

3.  Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs)

a.  Duties.  B&P Section 1752.4 places into statute most of the duties that regulations currently allow RDAs to perform, with the addition of certain duties, and with some duties moved to the DA category.  Following are all of the duties, with new duties noted in italics:

   (a) A registered dental assistant may perform all of the following duties:
      (1) All duties that a dental assistant is allowed to perform;
      (2) Mouth-mirror inspections of the oral cavity, to include charting of obvious lesions, existing restorations, and missing teeth
      (3) Apply and activate bleaching agents using a nonlaser light-curing device
      (4) Use of automated caries detection devices and materials to gather information for diagnosis by the dentist
      (5) Obtain intraoral images for computer-aided design (CAD), milled restorations. 
      (6) Pulp vitality testing and recording of findings
      (7) Place bases, liners, and bonding agents 
      (8) Chemically prepare teeth for bonding 
      (9) Place, adjust, and finish direct provisional restorations (broader definition of current duty) 
      (10) Fabricate, adjust, cement and remove indirect provisional restorations, including stainless steel crowns when used as a provisional restoration (broader definition of current duty) 
      (11) Place post-extraction dressings after inspection of the surgical site by the supervising licensed dentist 
     (12) Place periodontal dressings 
     (13) Dry endodontically treated canals using absorbent paper points
     (14) Adjust dentures extra-orally
     (15) Remove excess cement from surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument (broader definition of current duty) 
     (16) Polish coronal surfaces of the teeth
     (17) Place ligature ties and arch wires.
     (18) Remove orthodontic bands
     (19) All duties that the board may prescribe by regulation.

e.  RDA Licensure Requirements.  B&P Section 1752.1 requires that all applicants for RDA licensure must have completed a board-approved course in the California Dental Practice Act, an 8-hour board-approved course in infection control, and a course in basic life support within five years prior to application. 

g. Examination Requirements.  B&P Section 1752.3 places the RDA examination requirements into statute.

4.  Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Functions (EFs)

a.  Duties. B&P Section 1753.3 places into statute most of the duties that regulations currently allow EFs to perform, with the addition of certain duties, and certain duties moved to other categories.  Following are all of the duties that EFs licensed after January 1, 2010, will be allowed to perform, with new duties noted in italics:

b.  Existing EFs.  B&P Section 1753.4 requires EFs who are licensed prior to January 1, 2010, and who wish to perform the new duties, to complete a board-approved course in all of the new duties, and complete specified examinations.

c.  EF Examinations. B&P Section 1753.4 places the EF examination requirements in statute.

Where can I take an EF Course in Southern California?

We recommend that you enroll in the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant program, as they have the best pass rate of any provider in Southern California.  Their tuition is also much more reasonable.  Go to www.efdaservices.com for more information.

Because there is so much information and details related to the regulation of dental assistants in California, we have addressed those frequently asked questions. You will find these questions organized under their subject area.

Unlicensed dental assistants and their requirements

Are there any course requirements for me, as a dental assistant? A dental assistant may only expose dental x-rays after successfully completing a board-approved radiation safety techniques course. For information on courses that we offer to fulfill this requirement, go to Product and Services on our home page.  We currently do not offer the 8 hour IC or 2 hour DPA courses, but we highly recommend you complete this course with the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Association.  Go to www.efdaaservices.com for more information on their courses.

Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) and their requirements

I understand that now in 2009 a dental assistant, before they are licensed as an RDA, must complete a Board approved x-ray certification and coronal polish.  Also if I become licensed after 2010, will I have to complete a pit and fissure course prior to the first renewal that requires the completion of continuing education.  The answer to both questions is "Yes"  May I apply for the RDA exam before I complete these courses? Yes, you can apply, take the RDA exam, but you will not receive your license until you submit proof to the Dental Board (DB) that you have completed these courses.

How do I apply for the RDA exam? You must file an application with the Dental Board.  You may do this by calling (916) 263-2300 or 1-877-729-7789 or by downloading an application from the DB website by going to our homepage and link with DB..

When is the RDA written exam scheduled? The written exam is now computerized and scheduled by appointment at designated testing sites. You may get a detailed explanation by going to our home page and link with DB.

When is the RDA practical exam scheduled? The practical exam is scheduled at designated testing sites periodically during the year. You may get the exam dates and location by going to our home page and link with DB.

When do I get my exam dates for the written RDA exam? You begin by filing your application with DB. After DB determines that you are qualified to sit for the written exam, they will send you an acceptance letter providing detailed information on the exam and an "800" number to call to schedule your written exam in a testing location in your general area.

Do I have to pass the written RDA exam before I am eligible to take the practical? No, you complete each exam separately. Passage of one is not a requirement to sit for the other.

How can I best prepare for the RDA exam? Enroll in one of our excellent written and practical review courses or order a complete home study program today. Go to our home page, click on Product and Services and you will find information on our written and practical review courses and homestudy program.

Can I take the practical review course now, even though I am not actually taking the test for a few months? Yes, you may take a course at any time, but we recommend that you complete this review course just weeks before your practical exam is scheduled, as your knowledge and dexterity working with a typodont will be more current closer to the exam.

Are written or practical RDA review courses mandatory before taking the RDA exam? No, they are not mandatory, but they are very helpful in passing this exam.

I work in an orthodontic office and have never had any experience with general practice dentistry. Do you think I will pass with just these review courses? There can never be a guarantee that someone will pass after completing our courses, but we have trained thousands of specialty assistants, i.e. in orthodontics to successfully to pass the written and practical exams.

Are the study questions given at the written review or purchased as part of the home study program the actual questions that will be on the exam? The study questions distributed at the RDA written course or sold as part of the home study program are just as they are called…questions to help you study and practice. The actual RDA written exam questions are never distributed by DB. The purpose of our study questions is to help you review the information from the RDA Written Review Manual. They are very helpful in this way, as they help you determine whether or not you understand the subject material. Passage of the exam is dependent on knowledge of the information being tested and the ability to answer the questions in a written format effectively.

I have completed the practical review course and want more practice. What can I do? If you have access to the dental materials needed for the exam, you may wish to order the RDA Practical Video-Model home study program. These self-instructional aids offer you: a step by step video demonstrating the testable procedures, assimilated working model and handout. These aids have been very successful in preparing candidates to pass the RDA practical exam.

Radiation Safety Requirements
I have been employed in a dental office for three months and now I want to take x-rays. What are the current requirements to take x-rays? In order to take dental x-rays in California, you must complete a Board approved techniques courses in x-ray. For more information on course requirements, dates, location, etc., go to our home page, click on Product and Services, and you will find information on our Radiation Safety courses.

I have had experience taking x-rays in another state. What can I do? Dental Professionals offers a challenge mechanism for this course. Please call 1-800-438-7887 for more information on this process.

Once I have a radiation safety certification to take dental x-rays, must it be renewed? No, once you have completed a course, you need not renew this certification.

My dentist wants my x-ray certificate for his files, what should I do? It is important that you keep this certificate forever. Make a copy and give the copy to your employer. Never give the original.

What happens if I lose my x-ray certificate? If you have lost your certificate, contact the course provider. They should have a mechanism by which you can get a duplicate copy.

General Questions

I have enrolled in a course with your company. The class is scheduled to begin on Sunday and it is Saturday morning and I find out that I cannot attend. What should I do? May I call the office where the course is being held? Do not call the office where the course is being held, as our office administrator is the only person who can deal with this problem. You may reach her by calling 1-800-438-7887 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As we have indicated in our brochure, if you are unable to attend our course or seminar and we receive your cancellation at least five business days prior to the seminar, you will receive a full refund except for a $50 processing fee. This is considered a "last minute" cancellation (less than five business days notice) so you forfeit your tuition.

I did not receive a confirmation letter. What should I do? If you do not receive a confirmation by the Thursday the weekend before your class begins, please call us at 1-800-438-7887. Remember, non-receipt of a confirmation is not a valid reason for a refund.

What about class cancellations? Classes may be cancelled before the first scheduled meeting; if fewer than the required numbers have registered. You will receive a full refund for this class, unless you request a transfer to another class. Occasionally emergencies do occur, but our office will make every reasonable attempt to make contact and notify you of this change or cancellation.

Pit and Fissure Sealant Requirements
I have heard that RDAs can now perform the application of pit and fissure sealants. What are the requirements?

Recent legislation has passed that allows RDAs to perform pit and fissure sealants after completing a 16 hour course.  Go to our course listing under Products and Services Information Page for current course listing.

Important Information: for specific questions not answered on this site, you can also e-mail us at dpoc4u@earthlink.net