2010 Regulations for all Non-Licensed Dental Assistants - Mandatory Requirement
Posted by Val on March 16 2010 13:17:16
Unlicensed dental assistants (DA) hired on or after January 1, 2010 are now required to complete – one time only – a 2-hour California Dental Practice Act course and an 8-hour Infection Control Course. Additionally, dental assistants will be required to keep current certification in basic life support.
In 2010, dentist employers will be responsible for ensuring any unlicensed dental assistant hired on or after January 1, 2010, and employed beyond 120 days, provide evidence of course completion for the following two courses within 12 months of the date of hire. These courses are required one-time only and dental assistants who have completed these courses should keep evidence of completion in their files for all future employers’ records.
• The 2-hour California Dental Practice Act (CDPA) course is an existing 2-hour course that is periodically offered by the dental society. Next offering will be January, 2011.
• The 8-hour Infection Control for Dental Assistants, although not completely developed yet, is being designed specifically for unlicensed dental assistants. A list of approved course providers should be available soon on the Dental Board website. When available, provider approved courses will be listed on this website as well.
o CDA is developing a toolkit for dentists who wish to become providers of the 8-hour Infection Control for course for Dental Assistants. It is anticipated this course will become available through CDA early 2010. Please check the CDA website or CDA directly for the latest information.