2018 California Code
Business and Professions Code - BPC
DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS
CHAPTER 4 - Dentistry
ARTICLE 7 - Dental Auxiliaries
Section 1753.55.
(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 prior to January 1, 2010, 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, and passed the examination as specified in Section 1753.4.
(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 Office of Health Planning and Development. 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.
(Repealed (in Sec. 2) and added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 662, Sec. 3. (AB 1174) Effective January 1, 2015. Section operative January 1, 2018, by its own provisions.)
