2011 California Code
Business and Professions Code
DIVISION 2. HEALING ARTS [500 - 4999.122]
ARTICLE 7. Dental Auxiliaries
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 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 (as amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 588, Sec. 7) by Stats. 2008, Ch. 499, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2009. Section operative January 1, 2010, by its own provisions.)