ARTICLE 7. Dental Auxiliaries [1740 - 1777]
( Article 7 repealed and added by Stats. 1974, Ch. 128. )
It is the intention of the Legislature by enactment of this article to permit the full utilization of dental assistants in order to meet the dental care needs of all the state’s citizens. The Legislature further intends that the classifications of dental assistants established pursuant to this article
permit the continual advancement of persons to successively higher levels of licensure with additional education and training. The Legislature further intends that the Dental Board of California, in implementing this article, give specific consideration to the recommendations of the
Dental Assisting Council, established pursuant to Section 1742.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 865, Sec. 49. (AB 1519) Effective January 1, 2020.)
As used in this article:
(a) “Board” means the Dental Board of California.
(b) “Direct supervision” means supervision of dental procedures based on instructions given by a licensed dentist, who must be physically present in the treatment facility during the performance of those procedures.
(c) “General supervision” means supervision of dental procedures based on instructions given by a licensed dentist but not requiring the physical presence of the supervising dentist during the performance of those procedures.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 499, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2009.)
(a) There is hereby created a Dental Assisting Council of the Dental Board of California, which shall consider all matters relating to dental assistants in this state, on its own initiative or upon the request of the board, and make appropriate recommendations to the board and the standing committees of the board, including, but not limited to, the following areas:
(1) Requirements for dental assistant examination, licensure, permitting, and renewal.
(2) Standards and criteria for approval of dental assisting educational programs, courses, and continuing education.
(3) Allowable dental assistant duties, settings, and supervision
levels.
(4) Appropriate standards of conduct and enforcement for dental assistants.
(5) Requirements regarding infection control.
(b) (1) The members of the council shall be appointed by the board and shall include the registered dental assistant member of the board, another member of the board, and five registered dental assistants, representing as broad a range of dental assisting experience and education as possible, who meet the requirements of paragraph (2).
(2) The board shall consider, in its appointments of the five registered dental assistant members, recommendations submitted by any incorporated, nonprofit
professional society, association, or entity whose membership is comprised of registered dental assistants within the state. Two of those members shall be employed as faculty members of a registered dental assisting educational program approved by the board, and shall have been so employed for at least the prior five years. Three of those members, which shall include one registered dental assistant in extended functions, shall be employed clinically in private dental practice or public safety net or dental health care clinics. All five of those members shall have possessed a current and active registered dental assistant or registered dental assistant in extended functions license for at least the prior five years, and shall not be employed by a current member of the board.
(c) No council appointee shall have served previously on the dental
assisting forum or have any financial interest in any registered dental assistant school. All final candidate qualifications and applications for board-appointed council members shall be made available in the published board materials with final candidate selection conducted during the normal business of the board during public meetings.
(d) A vacancy occurring during a term shall be filled by appointment by the board for the unexpired term, according to the criteria applicable to the vacancy within 90 days after it occurs.
(e) Each member shall comply with conflict of interest requirements that apply to board members.
(f) The council may meet in conjunction with other board committees, and at other times as deemed
necessary.
(g) Each member shall serve for a term of four years, except that, of the initial appointments of the nonboard members, one of the members shall serve a term of one year, one member shall serve a term of two years, two members shall serve a term of three years, and one member shall serve a term of four years, as determined by the board. No member shall serve more than two full terms.
(h) Recommendations by the council pursuant to this section shall be approved, modified, or rejected by the board within 120 days of submission of the recommendation to the board during full board business. In the event the board rejects, postpones, refers the matter back to the council for any reason, or significantly modifies the intent or scope of the recommendation, the board
shall provide its reasons in writing for rejecting or significantly modifying the recommendation, which shall be provided by the board within 30 days.
(i) The council shall select a chair who shall establish the agendas of the council and shall serve as the council’s liaison to the board, including the reporting of the council’s recommendations to the board.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 865, Sec. 50. (AB 1519) Effective January 1, 2020.)
(a) The board shall have the following duties and authority related to applications:
(1) Shall review and evaluate all applications for licensure in all dental assisting categories to ascertain whether a candidate meets the appropriate licensing requirements specified by statute and board regulations.
(2) Shall maintain application records, cashier application fees, and perform any other ministerial tasks as are incidental to the application process.
(3) May delegate any or all of the functions in this subdivision to its staff.
(4) Shall issue dental assistant licenses in all cases, except where there is a question as to a licensing requirement.
(b) The board shall develop or cause to be developed and administer examinations. The board shall set pass points for all dental assisting licensing examinations.
(c) The board shall be responsible for all aspects of the license renewal process, which shall be accomplished in accordance with this chapter and board regulations. The board may delegate any or all of its functions under this subdivision to its staff.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 31, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 55 of Ch. 31.)
The procedure on all matters relating to the denial, suspension, or revocation of licenses granted under this article shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(Amended by Stats. 1975, Ch. 872.)
In addition to any other examination required by this article, the board may require applicants for licensure under this article to successfully complete the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 865, Sec. 51. (AB 1519) Effective January 1, 2020.)
(a) A dental assistant is an individual who, without a license, may perform basic supportive dental procedures, as authorized by Section 1750.1 and by regulations adopted by the board, under the supervision of a licensed dentist. “Basic supportive dental procedures” are those procedures that have technically elementary characteristics, are completely reversible, and are unlikely to precipitate potentially hazardous conditions for the patient being treated.
(b) The supervising licensed dentist shall be responsible for determining the competency of the dental assistant to perform the basic supportive dental procedures, as authorized by Section 1750.1.
(c) The
employer of a dental assistant shall be responsible for ensuring that the dental assistant who has been in continuous employment for 120 days or more, has already successfully completed, or successfully completes, all of the following within a year of the date of employment:
(1) A board-approved two-hour course in the Dental Practice Act.
(2) A board-approved eight-hour course in infection control.
(3) A course in basic life support offered by an instructor approved by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, or any other course approved by the board as equivalent and that provides the student the opportunity to engage in hands-on simulated clinical scenarios.
(d) The employer of a dental assistant shall be responsible for ensuring that
the dental assistant maintains certification in basic life support.
(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2010.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 703, Sec. 16. (SB 1491) Effective January 1, 2019.)
(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 these 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 licensed dentist:
(1) Apply nonaerosol and noncaustic 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 postextraction 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 archwires.
(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) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), when operating in a school-based setting or a public health program created or administered by a federal, state, county, or local governmental entity pursuant to Sections 104762 and 104830 of the Health and Safety Code, a dental assistant may apply topical fluoride under the general direction of a licensed dentist or physician.
(d) Under the supervision of a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, a dental assistant may perform intraoral retraction and suctioning.
(e) The board may specify additional allowable duties by regulation.
(f) 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.
(g) 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.
(h) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2010.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 119, Sec. 1. (AB 667) Effective January 1, 2010. Section operative January 1, 2010, by its own provisions.)
(a) The board may issue an orthodontic assistant permit to a person who files a completed application including a fee and provides evidence, satisfactory to the board, of all of the following eligibility requirements:
(1) Current, active, and valid licensure as a registered dental assistant or completion of at least 12 months of verifiable work experience as a dental assistant.
(2) Successful completion of a two-hour board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act and an eight-hour board-approved course in infection control.
(3) Successful completion of a course in basic life support offered by
an instructor approved by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, or any other course approved by the board as equivalent.
(4) Successful completion of a board-approved orthodontic assistant course, which may commence after the completion of six months of work experience as a dental assistant.
(5) Passage of a written examination administered by the board after completion of all of the other requirements of this subdivision. The written examination shall encompass the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to competently perform the duties specified in Section 1750.3.
(b) A person who holds an orthodontic assistant permit pursuant to this section shall be subject to the same continuing education requirements for registered dental assistants as established by the board pursuant to Section 1645
and the renewal requirements of Article 6 (commencing with Section 1715).
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 703, Sec. 17. (SB 1491) Effective January 1, 2019.)
A person holding an orthodontic assistant permit pursuant to Section 1750.2 may perform the following duties under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist:
(a) All duties that a dental assistant is allowed to perform.
(b) Prepare teeth for bonding, and select, preposition, and cure orthodontic brackets after their position has been approved by the supervising licensed dentist.
(c) Remove only orthodontic brackets and attachments with removal of the bonding material by the supervising licensed dentist.
(d) Size, fit, and cement orthodontic bands.
(e) Remove orthodontic bands and remove excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument.
(f) Place and ligate archwires.
(g) Remove excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from supragingival surfaces of teeth undergoing orthodontic treatment.
(h) Any additional duties that the board may prescribe by regulation.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 499, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2009.)
(a) The board may issue a dental sedation assistant permit to a person who files a completed application including a fee and provides evidence, satisfactory to the board, of all of the following eligibility requirements:
(1) Current, active, and valid licensure as a registered dental assistant or completion of at least 12 months of verifiable work experience as a dental assistant.
(2) Successful completion of a two-hour board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act and an eight-hour board-approved course in infection control.
(3) Successful completion of a course in basic life support offered
by an instructor approved by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, or any other course approved by the board as equivalent.
(4) Successful completion of a board-approved dental sedation assistant course, which may commence after the completion of six months of work experience as a dental assistant.
(5) Passage of a written examination administered by the board after completion of all of the other requirements of this subdivision. The written examination shall encompass the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to competently perform the duties specified in Section 1750.5.
(b) A person who holds a permit pursuant to this section shall be subject to the continuing education requirements established by the board pursuant to Section 1645 and the renewal requirements of Article 6 (commencing with
Section 1715).
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 703, Sec. 18. (SB 1491) Effective January 1, 2019.)
(a) A person holding a dental sedation assistant permit pursuant to Section 1750.4 may perform the following duties under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist or other licensed health care professional authorized to administer moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia in the dental office:
(1) All duties that a dental assistant is allowed to perform.
(2) Monitor patients undergoing moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia utilizing data from noninvasive instrumentation
such as pulse oximeters, electrocardiograms,
capnography, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rate monitoring devices. Evaluation of the condition of a sedated patient shall remain the responsibility of the dentist or other licensed health care professional authorized to administer moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia, who shall be at the patient’s chairside while moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia is being administered.
(3) Drug identification and draw, limited to identification of appropriate medications, ampule and vial preparation, and withdrawing drugs of correct amount as verified by the supervising licensed dentist.
(4) Add drugs, medications, and
fluids to intravenous lines using a syringe, provided that a supervising licensed dentist is present at the patient’s chairside, limited to determining patency of intravenous line, selection of injection port, syringe insertion into injection port, occlusion of intravenous line and blood aspiration, line release, and injection of drugs for appropriate time interval. The exception to this duty is that the initial dose of a drug or medication shall be administered by the supervising licensed dentist.
(5) Removal of intravenous lines.
(6) Any additional duties that the board may prescribe by regulation.
(7) The duties listed in paragraphs (2) to (5), inclusive, may not be performed in any setting other than a dental office or dental
clinic.
(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2022.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 929, Sec. 15. (SB 501) Effective January 1, 2019. Section operative January 1, 2022, by its own provisions.)
At least once every seven years, the board shall review the allowable duties for dental assistants, registered dental assistants, registered dental assistants in extended functions, dental sedation assistant permitholders, and orthodontic assistant permitholders, the supervision level for these categories, and the settings under which these duties may be performed, and shall update the regulations as necessary to keep them current with the state of the dental practice.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 703, Sec. 19. (SB 1491) Effective January 1, 2019.)
(a) The board may license as a registered dental assistant a person who files an application and submits written evidence, satisfactory to the board, of one of the following eligibility requirements:
(1) Graduation from an educational program in registered dental assisting approved by the board, and satisfactory performance on the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination administered by the board.
(2) For individuals applying prior to January 1, 2010, evidence of completion of satisfactory work experience of at least 12 months as a dental assistant in California or another state and
satisfactory performance on the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination administered by the board.
(3) For individuals applying on or after January 1, 2010, evidence of completion of satisfactory work experience of at least 15 months as a dental assistant in California or another state and satisfactory performance on the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination administered by the board.
(b) For purposes of this section, “satisfactory work experience” means performance of the duties specified in Section 1750.1 in a competent manner as determined by the employing dentist, who shall certify to such satisfactory work experience in the application.
(c) The
board shall give credit toward the work experience referred to in this section to persons who have graduated from a dental assisting program in a postsecondary institution approved by the Department of Education or in a secondary institution, regional occupational center, or regional occupational program, that are not, however, approved by the board pursuant to subdivision (a). The credit shall equal the total weeks spent in classroom training and internship on a week-for-week basis. The board, in cooperation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, shall establish the minimum criteria for the curriculum of nonboard-approved programs. Additionally, the board shall notify those programs only if the program’s curriculum does not meet established minimum criteria, as established for board-approved registered dental assistant programs, except any requirement that the program be given in a
postsecondary institution. Graduates of programs not meeting established minimum criteria shall not qualify for satisfactory work experience as defined by this section.
(d) In addition to the requirements specified in subdivision (a), each applicant for registered dental assistant licensure shall provide evidence of having successfully completed board-approved courses in radiation safety and coronal polishing as a condition of licensure. The length and content of the courses shall be governed by applicable board regulations.
(e) In addition to the requirements specified in subdivisions (a) and (d), individuals applying for registered dental assistant licensure on or after January 1, 2010, shall demonstrate satisfactory performance on the Registered Dental Assistant Combined
Written and Law and Ethics Examination administered by the board and shall provide written evidence of successful completion within five years prior to application of all of the following:
(1) A board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act.
(2) A board-approved course in infection control.
(3) A course in basic life support offered by an instructor approved by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, or any other course approved by the board as equivalent.
(f) A registered dental assistant may apply for an orthodontic assistant permit or a dental sedation assistant permit, or both, by submitting written evidence of the following:
(1) Successful completion of a board-approved orthodontic assistant or dental sedation assistant course, as applicable.
(2) Passage of the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination administered by the board that shall encompass the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to competently perform the duties of the particular permit.
(g) A registered dental assistant with permits in either orthodontic assisting or dental sedation assisting shall be referred to as an “RDA with orthodontic assistant permit,” or “RDA with dental sedation assistant permit,” as applicable. These terms shall be used for reference purposes only and do not create additional categories of licensure.
(h) Completion of the continuing education requirements established by the board pursuant to Section 1645 by a registered dental assistant who also holds a permit as an orthodontic assistant or dental sedation assistant shall fulfill the continuing education requirements for the permit or permits.
(i) The board shall, in consultation with the Office of Professional Examination Services, conduct a review to determine whether a practical examination is necessary to demonstrate competency of registered dental assistants, and if so, how this examination should be developed and administered. The board shall submit its review and determination to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature on or before July 1, 2017.
(j) Notwithstanding any other law, if the review conducted by the Office of Professional Examination Services pursuant to subdivision (i) concludes that the practical examination is unnecessary or does not accurately measure the competency of registered dental assistants, the board may vote to suspend the practical examination. The suspension of the practical examination shall commence on the date the board votes to suspend the practical
examination.
(k) The Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination required by this section shall comply with Section 139.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 865, Sec. 52. (AB 1519) Effective January 1, 2020.)
(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.
(10) Fabricate, adjust, cement, and remove indirect provisional restorations, including stainless steel crowns when used as a provisional restoration.
(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.
(16) Polish coronal surfaces of the teeth.
(17) Place ligature ties and archwires.
(18) Remove orthodontic bands.
(19) All duties that the board may prescribe by regulation.
(b) A registered dental assistant may only perform the following additional duties if he or she has completed a board-approved registered dental assistant educational program in those duties, or if he or she has provided evidence, satisfactory to the board, of having completed a board-approved course in those duties.
(1) Remove excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from supragingival surfaces of teeth undergoing orthodontic treatment.
(2) The allowable duties of an orthodontic assistant permitholder as specified in Section 1750.3. A registered dental assistant shall not be required to complete further instruction in the duties of placing ligature ties and archwires, removing orthodontic bands, and removing excess cement from tooth surfaces with a hand instrument.
(3) The allowable duties of a dental sedation assistant permitholder as specified in Section 1750.5.
(4) The application of pit and fissure sealants.
(c) Except as provided in Section 1777, the supervising licensed dentist shall be responsible for determining whether each authorized procedure performed by a registered dental assistant should be performed under general or direct supervision.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2010.
(Repealed (in Sec. 32) and added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 499, Sec. 23. Effective January 1, 2009. Section operative January 1, 2010, by its own provisions.)
A registered dental assistant licensed on and after January 1, 2010, shall provide evidence of successful completion of a board-approved course in the application of pit and fissure sealants prior to the first expiration of his or her license that requires the completion of continuing education as a condition of renewal. The license of a registered dental assistant who does not provide evidence of successful completion of that course shall not be renewed until evidence of course completion is provided.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 499, Sec. 26. Effective January 1, 2009.)
(a) On and after January 1, 2010, the board may license as a registered dental assistant in extended functions a person who submits written evidence, satisfactory to the board, of all of the following eligibility requirements:
(1) Current licensure as a registered dental assistant or completion of the requirements for licensure as a registered dental assistant.
(2) Successful completion of a board-approved course in the application of pit and fissure sealants.
(3) Successful completion of either of the following:
(A) An extended
functions postsecondary program approved by the board in all of the procedures specified in Section 1753.5.
(B) An extended functions postsecondary program approved by the board to teach the duties that registered dental assistants in extended functions were allowed to perform pursuant to board regulations prior to January 1, 2010, and a course approved by the board in the procedures specified in paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (7) to (11), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 1753.5.
(4) Passage of a written examination administered by the board. The board shall designate whether the written examination shall be administered by the board or by the board-approved extended functions program.
(b) A registered dental assistant in extended functions may apply for an orthodontic assistant permit or a dental sedation
assistant permit, or both, by providing written evidence of the following:
(1) Successful completion of a board-approved orthodontic assistant or dental sedation assistant course, as applicable.
(2) Passage of a written examination administered by the board that shall encompass the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to competently perform the duties of the particular permit.
(c) A registered dental assistant in extended functions with permits in either orthodontic assisting or dental sedation assisting shall be referred to as an “RDAEF with orthodontic assistant permit,” or “RDAEF with dental sedation assistant permit,” as applicable. These terms shall be used for reference purposes only and do not create additional categories of licensure.
(d) Completion of the continuing education requirements established by the board pursuant to Section 1645 by a registered dental assistant in extended functions who also holds a permit as an orthodontic assistant or dental sedation assistant shall fulfill the continuing education requirement for such permit or permits.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 367, Sec. 6. (SB 607) Effective January 1, 2022.)
(a) A registered dental assistant in extended functions licensed on or after January 1, 2010, is authorized to perform all duties and procedures that a registered dental assistant is authorized to perform as specified in and limited by Section 1752.4, and those duties that the board may prescribe by regulation.
(b) A registered dental assistant in extended functions licensed on or after January 1, 2010, is authorized to perform the following additional procedures under direct supervision and pursuant to the order, control, and full professional responsibility of a licensed dentist:
(1) Conduct preliminary evaluation of the patient’s oral health, including, but not limited to, charting, intraoral and extra-oral evaluation of soft tissue, classifying occlusion, and myofunctional evaluation.
(2) Perform oral health assessments in school-based, community health project settings under the direction of a dentist, registered dental hygienist, or registered dental hygienist in alternative practice.
(3) Cord retraction of gingiva for impression procedures.
(4) Size and fit endodontic master points and accessory points.
(5) Cement endodontic master points and accessory points.
(6) Take final impressions for permanent indirect restorations.
(7) Take final impressions for tooth-borne removable prosthesis.
(8) Polish and contour existing amalgam restorations.
(9) Place, contour, finish, and adjust all direct restorations.
(10) Adjust and cement permanent indirect restorations.
(11) Other procedures authorized by regulations adopted by the board.
(c) All procedures required to be performed under direct supervision shall be checked and approved by the supervising licensed dentist prior to the patient’s dismissal from the office.
(Added by renumbering Section 1753.1 by Stats. 2008, Ch. 499, Sec. 29. Effective January 1, 2009.)
(a) A registered dental assistant in extended functions is authorized to perform the additional duties as set forth in subdivision (b) pursuant to the order, control, and full professional responsibility of a supervising dentist, if the licensee meets one of the following requirements:
(1) Is licensed on or after January 1, 2010.
(2) Is licensed before January 1, 2010, and has successfully completed a board-approved course in the additional procedures specified in paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (7) to (11), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 1753.5.
(b) (1) Determine which radiographs to perform on a patient
who has not received an initial examination by the supervising dentist for the specific purpose of the dentist making a diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient. In these circumstances, the dental assistant in extended functions shall follow protocols established by the supervising dentist. This paragraph only applies in the following settings:
(A) In a dental office setting.
(B) In public health settings, using telehealth, as defined by Section 2290.5, for the purpose of communication with the supervising dentist, including, but not limited to, schools, head start and preschool programs, and community clinics, under the general supervision of a dentist.
(2) Place protective restorations, which for
this purpose are identified as interim therapeutic restorations, and defined as a direct provisional restoration placed to stabilize the tooth until a licensed dentist diagnoses the need for further definitive treatment. An interim therapeutic restoration consists of the removal of soft material from the tooth using only hand instrumentation, without the use of rotary instrumentation, and subsequent placement of an adhesive restorative material. Local anesthesia shall not be necessary for interim therapeutic restoration placement. Interim therapeutic restorations shall be placed only in accordance with both of the following:
(A) In either of the following settings:
(i) In a dental office setting, under the direct or general supervision of a dentist as determined by the
dentist.
(ii) In public health settings, using telehealth, as defined by Section 2290.5, for the purpose of communication with the supervising dentist, including, but not limited to, schools, head start and preschool programs, and community clinics, under the general supervision of a dentist.
(B) After the diagnosis, treatment plan, and instruction to perform the procedure provided by a dentist.
(c) The functions described in subdivision (b) may be performed by a registered dental assistant in extended functions only after completion of a program that includes training in performing those functions, or after providing evidence, satisfactory to the board, of having completed a board-approved course in those functions.
(d) No later than January 1, 2018, the board shall adopt regulations to establish requirements for courses of instruction for the procedures authorized to be performed by a registered dental assistant in extended functions pursuant to this section using the competency-based training protocols established by the Health Workforce Pilot Project (HWPP) No. 172 through the Department of Health Care Access and Information. The board shall submit to the committee proposed regulatory language for the curriculum for the Interim Therapeutic Restoration to the committee for the purpose of promulgating regulations for registered dental hygienists and registered dental hygienists in alternative practice as described in Section 1910.5. The language submitted by the board shall mirror the instructional curriculum for the registered dental assistant in
extended functions. Any subsequent amendments to the regulations that are promulgated by the board for the Interim Therapeutic Restoration curriculum shall be submitted to the committee.
(e) The board may issue a permit to a registered dental assistant in extended functions who files a completed application, including the fee, to provide the duties specified in this section after the board has determined the registered dental assistant in extended functions has completed the coursework required in subdivision (c).
(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2018.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 511, Sec. 2. (SB 1495) Effective January 1, 2023.)
(a) Each person who holds a license as a registered dental assistant in extended functions on the operative date of this section may only perform those procedures that a registered dental assistant is allowed to perform as specified in and limited by Section 1752.4, and the procedures specified in paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, until the person provides evidence of having completed a board-approved course in the additional procedures specified in paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (7) to (11), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 1753.5:
(1) Cord retraction of gingiva for impression procedures.
(2) Take final impressions for permanent indirect
restorations.
(3) Formulate indirect patterns for endodontic post and core castings.
(4) Fit trial endodontic filling points.
(5) Apply pit and fissure sealants.
(6) Remove excess cement from subgingival tooth surfaces with a hand instrument.
(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2010.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 367, Sec. 9. (SB 607) Effective January 1, 2022.)
A licensed dentist may simultaneously utilize in his or her practice no more than three registered dental assistants in extended functions or registered dental hygienists in extended functions licensed pursuant to Section 1753 or 1918.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 703, Sec. 20. (SB 1491) Effective January 1, 2019.)
No person other than a licensed dental hygienist or a licensed dentist may engage in the practice of dental hygiene or perform dental hygiene procedures on patients, including, but not limited to, supragingival and subgingival scaling, dental hygiene assessment, and treatment planning, except for the following persons:
(a) A student enrolled in a dental or a dental hygiene school who is performing procedures as part of the regular curriculum of that program under the supervision of the faculty of that program.
(b) A dental assistant, registered dental assistant, or registered dental assistant in extended functions acting in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(c) A registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions licensed in another jurisdiction performing a clinical demonstration for educational purposes.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 499, Sec. 42. Effective January 1, 2009.)
The board shall adopt regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this article.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 31, Sec. 38. Effective January 1, 2009. Operative July 1, 2009, by Sec. 55 of Ch. 31.)
Any person, other than a person who has been issued a license or permit by the board, who holds himself or herself out as a registered dental assistant, orthodontic assistant permitholder, dental sedation assistant permitholder, or registered dental assistant in extended functions, or uses any other term indicating or implying he or she is licensed or permitted by the board as such, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 499, Sec. 45. Effective January 1, 2009.)
The provisions of Sections 1715, 1718, 1718.1, 1718.2, and 1718.3 shall govern the renewal, restoration, reinstatement, and reissuance of licenses issued under this article.
The license shall continue in effect through the date provided in Section 1715 that next occurs after its issuance, when it shall expire if not renewed.
(Added by renumbering Section 1766 by Stats. 2002, Ch. 810, Sec. 17. Effective January 1, 2003.)
While employed by or practicing in a primary care clinic or specialty clinic licensed pursuant to Section 1204 of the Health and Safety Code, in a primary care clinic exempt from licensure pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 1206 of the Health and Safety Code, or a clinic owned and operated by a hospital that maintains the primary contract with a county government to fill the county’s role under Section 17000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the following shall apply:
(a) A dental assistant, registered dental assistant, or registered dental assistant in extended functions may perform any extraoral duty under the direct supervision of a registered dental hygienist or registered dental hygienist in alternative practice.
(b) A registered dental assistant or a registered dental assistant in extended functions may perform the following procedures under the direct supervision of a registered dental hygienist or a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1763:
(1) Coronal polishing.
(2) Application of topical fluoride.
(3) Application of sealants, after providing evidence to the board of having completed a board-approved course in that procedure.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 499, Sec. 46. Effective January 1, 2009.)