Attention:

The Dental Board of California Main Fax Number, (916) 263-2140, is currently not operational.  In the interim, please send faxes to (916) 274-5970. We will provide updated information once the main fax number is operational again. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

DENTAL ASSISTING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND COURSE APPROVALS AFTER JANUARY 1, 2011

Effective January 1, 2011, statutes that set new requirements for Registered Dental Assistant Educational Programs, Infection Control Courses, Orthodontic Assistant Permit Courses, Dental Sedation Assistant Permit Courses, and Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions Programs will be repealed. The Board is currently proposing to adopt new regulations that would reinstate these course and program requirements. The Board is currently completing the public comment period for the proposed regulations and anticipates filing the regulations package with the Office of Administrative Law for review and approval within the next 60 days.

In the meantime, applications for these courses or programs will not be processed until new regulations reinstating the dental assisting course and program requirements have been adopted. All other course applications, including those for Radiation Safety, Coronal Polishing, Pit and Fissure Sealants and Ultrasonic Scaler, will continue to be reviewed.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL UNLICENSED DENTAL ASSISTANTS

Business and Professions Code, Section 1750.  (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 course in the Dental Practice Act.
   (2) A board-approved 8 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.

If additional information is needed, please email Dawn.Dill@dca.ca.gov.

Richard E. DeCuir
Executive Officer
Dental Board of California

 

Our mission is to protect the health and safety of consumers.

The Board:

• Licenses qualified dental health care professionals;
• Takes action to enforce compliance of the Dental Practice Act and State of California laws;
• Strives to enhance the education of consumers and licensees.