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Regulations - Chapter 3, Article 1

TITLE 16. PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL REGULATIONS
DIVISION 10. DENTAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER 3. DENTAL AUXILIARIES
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1067. Definitions.
Section 1068. Posting of Dental Auxiliary Duties.
Section 1069. Permit Reform Act.

Section 1067. Definitions.
As used in this subchapter:
(a) "Dental auxiliary" means a person who may perform dental supportive procedures authorized by the provisions of these regulations under the specified supervision of a licensed dentist.
(b) "Dental assistant" means an unlicensed person who may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by these regulations under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
(c) "Registered dental assistant" or "RDA" means a licensed person who may perform all procedures authorized by the provisions of these regulations and in addition may perform all functions which may be performed by a dental assistant under the designated supervision of a licensed dentist.
(d) "Registered dental hygienist" or "RDH" means a licensed person who may perform all procedures authorized by the provisions of these regulations and in addition may perform all functions which may be performed by a dental assistant and registered dental assistant, under the designated supervision of a licensed dentist.
(e) "Registered dental assistant in extended functions" or "RDAEF" means a person licensed as a registered dental assistant who has completed post-licensure clinical and didactic training approved by the board and satisfactorily performed on an examination designated by the board for registered dental assistant in extended function applicants.
(f) "Registered dental hygienist in extended functions" or "RDHEF" means a person licensed as a registered dental hygienist who has completed post-licensure clinical and didactic training approved by the board and satisfactorily performed on an examination designated by the board for registered dental hygienist in extended functions applicants.
(g) "Oral prophylaxis" means the preventive dental procedures including complete removal of explorer-detectable calculus, soft deposits, plaque, stains, and the smoothing of unattached tooth surfaces. The objective of this treatment shall be creation of an environment in which hard and soft tissues can be maintained in good health by the patient.
(h) "Coronal polishing" means a procedure limited to the removal of plaque and stain from exposed tooth surfaces, utilizing an appropriate rotary instrument with rubber cup or brush and a polishing agent.
(i) "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 performance of those procedures.
(j) "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.
(k) "Satisfactory educational qualification" means theory, laboratory and/or clinical experience approved by the board.
(l) "Basic supportive dental procedures" means fundamental duties or functions which may be performed by an unlicensed dental assistant under the supervision of a licensed dentist because of their technically elementary characteristics, complete reversibility and inability to precipitate potentially hazardous conditions for the patient being treated.
(m) "Root planing" means the process of instrumentation by which the unattached surfaces of the root are made smooth by the removal of calculus and/or cementum.
(n) "Periodontal soft tissue curettage" means the closed removal of tissue lining the periodontal pocket, not involving the reflection of a flap.
(o) "Gingival" means pertaining to the gingivae, the mucous membrane with the supporting fibrous tissue.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 1614 and 1762, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 1741(d), 1754, 1759, 1760 and 1762, Business and Professions Code.

HISTORY
  1. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (h) filed 9-11-89 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 89, No. 37).
  2. Repealer of subsections (q), (r) and (s) filed 2-28-92; operative 3-30-92 Register 92, No. 12).
  3. Repealer of subsection ( l), subsection relettering and amendment of newly designated subsection (m) filed 6-11-98; operative 7-11-98 (Register 98, No. 24).

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Section 1068. Posting of Dental Auxiliary Duties.
All dentists utilizing the services of dental auxiliaries shall post a notice in a common area of the office which delineates duties and functions deemed by the board as delegable within stipulated settings and/or circumstances. Such notice shall be readily accessible to all individuals under supervision of the dentist.

Note: Authority cited: Section 1614, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 1751, 1754, 1757, 1759 and 1762, Business and Professions Code.

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Section 1069. Permit Reform Act.
"Permit" as defined by the Permit Reform Act of 1981 means any license, certificate, registration, permit, or any other form of authorization required by a state agency to engage in a particular activity or act. Processing times for the committee's programs are set forth below. The actual processing times apply to those persons who take and pass the first available examination.

Processing Times

Name of Program Maximum Period of time in which the Board will notify applicant that application is complete or deficient and what specific information is required. Maximum period of time after the filing of a complete application in which the Board will notify applicant of a permit decision. Actual Processing Times Based on Prior Two Years
      Minimum Median Maximum
RDA Licensure 90 days 180 days 75 days 114 days 358 days
RDAEF Licensure 75 days 120 days 28 days 35 days 55 days
RDH Licensure 90 days 120 days 32 days 113 days 270 days
RDHEF Licensure 75 days 120 days 32 days 113 days 270 days
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM REVIEW AND APPROVAL
RDA Educational Programs: 120 days 150 days 64 days 219 days 370 days
RDA Coronal Polish and/or Ultrasonic Scaler Courses:
  90 days 120 days 67 days 102 days 191 days
RDAEF Educational Programs:
  90 days 120 days 60 days 90 days 150 days
RDHEF Educational Programs:
  90 days 120 days 60 days 90 days 150 days
Auxiliary Licensure Renewal:
  30 days 90 days 20 days 39 days 60 days

Note: Authority cited: Section 1614, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 15375 and 15376, Government Code; and Section 1614, Business and Professions Code.

HISTORY
  1. New section filed 2-22-88; operative 3-23-88 (Register 88, No. 10).
  2. Amendment of table filed 2-22-2001; operative 3-24-2001 (Register 2001, No. 8).