Allowable Duties of Dental Auxiliaries – Frequently Asked Questions
- What Duties May an Unlicensed Dental Assistant Perform?
Many types of dental auxiliaries may work in a dental office, including dental assistants who are not licensed by the Board. Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) and Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Functions (RDAEFs) practicing in California must be licensed by the Board.
For more information on the allowable duties for each type of dental auxiliary, go to the Table of Permitted Duties webpage. If you have specific questions not answered on the Board’s website, please email the Board’s Dental Assisting Program at DA.Program@dca.ca.gov.
- What Duties May a Registered Dental Assistant Perform?
Many types of dental auxiliaries may work in a dental office, including dental assistants who are not licensed by the Board. Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) and Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Functions (RDAEFs) practicing in California must be licensed by the Board.
- An RDA may perform all duties that an unlicensed dental assistant may perform. (Business and Professions Code section 1752.4, subdivision (a)(1).)
- An RDA may operate dental radiographic equipment only if they pass a Board-approved radiation safety course. (Business and Professions Code section 1656.)
- An RDA may perform certain additional duties under the general supervision of a licensed dentist, which means that the physical presence of the dentist is not required during the performance of the procedure.
- An RDA may perform certain additional duties only under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
- The duties that an RDA may perform are specified in Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 1752.4.
For more information on the allowable duties for each type of dental auxiliary, go to the Table of Permitted Duties webpage. If you have specific questions not answered on the Board’s website, please email the Board’s Dental Assisting Program at DA.Program@dca.ca.gov.
- What Duties May a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions Perform?
Many types of dental auxiliaries may work in a dental office, including dental assistants who are not licensed by the Board. Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) and Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Functions (RDAEFs) practicing in California must be licensed by the Board.
- An RDAEF licensed on or after January 1, 2010 may perform all duties and procedures that an RDA may perform. (Business and Professions Code section 1753.5, subdivision (a).)
- An RDAEF may operate dental radiographic equipment only if they pass a Board-approved radiation safety course. (Business and Professions Code section 1656.)
- An RDAEF licensed on or after January 1, 2010 may perform certain additional duties under the general supervision of a licensed dentist, which means that the physical presence of the dentist is not required during the performance of those procedures.
- An RDAEF licensed on or after January 1, 2010 may perform certain additional procedures only under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
- An RDAEF licensed prior to January 1, 2010 may perform certain duties only if they have successfully completed Board-approved courses in those procedures. (Business and Professions Code sections 1753.6 and 1753.55, subdivision (a)(2).)
- The duties that an RDAEF may perform are specified in Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 1753.5.
For more information on the allowable duties for each type of dental auxiliary, go to the Table of Permitted Duties webpage. If you have specific questions not answered on the Board’s website, please email the Board’s Dental Assisting Program at DA.Program@dca.ca.gov.
