What is legal for a dental assistant? Do assistants have to be licensed? What is a “registered” dental assistant? Do you need to be a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) to perform advanced functions, and if not, why should I become one? Check out the latest reports that summarize recent legislative and regulatory changes to state dental support. I had been a dental assistant for 29 years when I took my test from the National Council of Dental Aids to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). Before that, I had always heard things like; “You don`t have to be an ADC to get a job” or “It won`t make you any more money, so why are you doing it?” And the one I hate the most now; “Oh, you`re just a dental assistant, you don`t need any training.” I think back all those years before I became a CDA and I see how much I missed growth. I feel like I`ve been retained and haven`t had the chance to improve. I can only blame myself; I decided to listen to the bad advice. If continuing education is not mandatory for your state, YOU should take it upon yourself to continue your education. Whether you`ve been formally trained or trained on the job doesn`t matter. As assistants, we play an important role in the care and control of infections for our patients. What should be important is that you are up-to-date, knowledgeable, and absolutely confident that you will adhere to the highest standards of patient care for yourself and your team members. Doing it the way you`ve always done doesn`t really cut it anymore. Times, infection control procedures and materials change. Find out what`s the latest and best when it comes to infection control and make sure your office meets the highest standards.
Trending Article: The Current and Future State of Solo and Group Dental Practice Find your state requirements for dental assistants. Look for job titles for dental assistants, examination and training pathways, acceptable assignments, etc. Did you know that there are about 300,000 dental assistants in the United States? There are about 200,000 dentists and 175,000 dental hygienists. Dental assistants make up the largest number on the oral health team, but for the most part, we are unregulated and under-educated. For that reason, I believe there is a lack of knowledge about the law. For the most part, the assistants simply didn`t learn what to do. Or, if they have been formally trained, they do not always follow the training and change. Over the years, I`ve seen incredible changes in our industry with technology and materials, including OSHA and CDC guidelines. As laws change from year to year, it is more important than ever to keep pace with education. I hear often; “It`s not legal, but our doctor allows us to do it” or “It doesn`t matter, they tell us to do it” or “Yes, you should, but we don`t” – words that make me shudder. I can only imagine that if you had spoken to these dental assistants in Tulsa, just a week before the Board of Dentistry interviewed them, they might have said the same thing.
And they are not the only assistants to serve a prison sentence: in many cases, depending on the violation, the Council of State considers certain procedures to be an “unlicensed dental practice”, which is a crime. If you know you`re doing something wrong, it`s you and you can be held accountable for your actions. You can also be held responsible for knowing that something is wrong and doing nothing about it, i.e. inappropriate infection control procedures, no spore testing of your autoclave, knowing that team members are doing more than your condition allows them to do, etc. Trending Article: Is Your Dental Practice Fully HIPAA Compliant? One of the biggest challenges as a dental assistant is moving. Because every state is different, you may not be able to work at the same level without additional exams, training, or training. While there is no set rule, there are a few things you can do to make the move easier. Participate in a CODA-accredited program. If you can, participating in a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) is a good idea, as many states recognize or require these programs.
Does your state require dental assistants to have an X-ray license? Some states allow dental assistants to preform advanced functions. What functions does your state allow and how do you get certified for those functions? If I am certified in one state but move to another, is this permit/license valid in my new state? I`d like to take all the credit and say that I`ve done all the research for this, but the truth is that the National Dental Assisting Council (DANB) has already done it for us. On their website, a country-specific tab is listed where you can browse your state and its laws for dental assistants. Go to the experts who did the research for you and get the right information. Never assume that just because it`s always been done that way doesn`t mean it`s the right way to do it. Do some research and inquire. The Michigan Board of Dentistry consists of 19 voting members: 8 dentists, 2 dentists, 4 hygienists, 2 registered dental assistants, and 3 members of the public. My love of dentistry and my love of teaching allows me to talk to dental assistants across the country. When you get a room full of assistants who engage and talk, you learn so much. One of the questions that often comes up is the laws concerning dental assistants.
I find that there is a huge lack of knowledge about the law. Dental support requirements, job titles, and authorized duties vary from state to state. While some states have only one level of dental assistant, other states have up to five different levels and job titles. Visit the Dental Assisting Board`s (DANB) state search map to search for each state`s requirements. DANB provides publications and compilations of government dental support requirements. DanB can also create custom comparison tables for state dental associations and legislators upon request. Browse the state dental support exams performed by DANB. Get DANB certified. DANB exams and certifications are recognized or required by 38 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Air Force, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Maintaining DANB certification can make it easier for you to meet dental assistance requirements if you need to move and find work in a new state.
Each state website lists examination, education, and training requirements by job title, along with a link to that state`s dental chamber. You can download and print a diagram with these requirements that contains both allowed and prohibited tasks. Are you ready to go to jail, lay criminal charges against you, or have your photo sought on the evening news or in the morning newspaper? If you`re told to do something you know you shouldn`t do, don`t do it! If you`re not sure, find out. DANB.org will have these answers to yourself, and if you need better clarification, call your state dental association. The greatest asset you have is yourself, so protect yourself and the investment you have made in this profession by continuing your education and knowing what the laws of your state are. As I mentioned earlier, only about 12% of dental assistants nationwide currently have a CDA. Assistants who maintain their CDA are dedicated, educated and passionate about their careers. In most cases, it is not necessary to be a CDA, but every employer knows that CDA is a national standard of excellence in dental assisting.
Having a CDA behind your name sets you apart. And don`t think that just because you`ve passed and passed the CDA exam doesn`t mean you don`t have to keep that certification up to date. Each year, you must maintain this excellence by earning the 12 continuing education credits required to renew your CDA. If you don`t, you`re not a CDA. Dental assisting is an exciting and growing career. Dental assistants who are considering moving to a new state may find that there are many jobs available to them. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of dental assistant jobs is expected to increase by 19% between 2016 and 2026. R.D.A.S who graduated before 2004 and took an advanced update course can perform the additional advanced features. If you completed an ADA/CODA accredited dental assisting program after 2004, your program includes the new advanced features. R.D.A. who graduated before 2004 must take the RDA Update! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
In addition, DANB offers a database of state dental practices that contains the statutes, bylaws, and bylaws of each state that govern the practice of each member of the dental team. DANB created the database in collaboration with the American Association of Dental Boards, so that everyone can easily find the entire Dental Practice Act and the Dental Board`s rules and bylaws for all members of the dental team in each state. You MUST take a course approved (or substantially similar) by the ADA`s Commission for Dental Accreditation to take X-rays (X-rays) in Michigan. It`s the LAW! Make sure you have proof of your training available at your dental office. If you have not taken an ADA/CODA approved X-ray course, you can take a course in one of the ADA/CODA accredited dental assisting programs or have your dentist/employer purchase the MDA-approved ADA/CODA approved course that can be taken under the supervision of a licensed dentist in your dental office. As a dentist, you need to know what you can and cannot do legally in the state of Michigan.