Dentistry: dental assistants.

(1) Existing law, the Dental Practice Act, establishes the Dental Board of California for the licensure and regulation of dentists and dental assistants. Existing law sets forth requirements for licensure as a registered dental assistant and as a registered dental assistant in extended functions, and sets forth duties and functions that a registered dental assistant or a registered dental assistant in extended function is authorized to perform. This bill would revise and recast those provisions. (2) Existing law specifies a dental assistant is an individual who, without a license, may perform basic supportive dental procedures, as specified, and sets forth the responsibilities of a supervising licensed dentist, including ensuring that a dental assistant has completed specified courses. Existing law sets forth the duties and functions a dental assistant is authorized to perform. This bill would revise the responsibilities of a supervising dentist relating to an unlicensed dental assistant, and the functions and duties that an unlicensed dental assistant is authorized to perform. The bill would revise the course requirements for an unlicensed dental assistant, including by requiring the verification that the dental assistant has completed specified preceptorship and work experience requirements by an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury by the preceptor or the supervising dentist, as provided. By expanding the scope of the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require an unlicensed dental assistant to obtain a certificate of completion of radiation safety to perform radiographic procedures. (3) Existing law establishes requirements for obtaining an orthodontic assistant permit or a dental sedation assistant permit from the board, including licensure as a registered dental assistant, and sets forth the duties and functions that a person holding an orthodontic assistant permit or a dental sedation assistant permit may perform. This bill would revise the requirements to obtain an orthodontic assistant permit and would revise the duties and functions that a person holding an orthodontic assistant permit is authorized to perform. This bill would revise and recast the requirements to obtain a dental sedation assistant permit, including requiring licensure as a dental assistant, registered dental assistant, or registered dental assistant in extended functions and would revise the duties and functions that a person holding a dental sedation assistant permit is authorized to perform. (4) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.