The California Dental Practice Act _ ____________________________________________________________
Registered Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice CCR Section 1090. RDHAP Duties and Settings. (a) Unless specifically so provided by regulation, an RDHAP may not perform the following functions or any activity which represents the practice of dentistry or requires knowledge, skill and training of a licensed dentist: 1. Diagnosing and treatment planning; 2. Surgical or cutting procedures on hard or soft tissue; 3. Fitting and adjusting of correctional and prosth- odontic appliances; 4. Prescribing medication; 5. Placing, condensing, carving or removal of per- manent restorations, including final cementation procedures; 6. Irrigating and medicating canals, try-in cones, ream- ing, filing or filling of root canals; 7. Taking of impressions for prosthodontic appliances, bridges, or any other devices which may be worn in the mouth; 8. Administering local or general anesthesia, oral or parental conscious sedation. (b) Under the supervision of a licensed dentist, an RDHAP may perform the duties assigned to registered dental hygienists by Section 1088, under the same levels of supervision and in the same settings as specified in that section, in addition to those duties permitted by Section 1768(b)(3). (c) Independently and without the supervision of a licensed dentist, an RDHAP may, upon the prescription of a dentist or a physician and surgeon licensed in California, perform the duties assigned to a registered dental hygienist by Section 1088(c). 1. All prescriptions shall contain the following informa- tion: A. The pre-printed name, address, license number, and signature of the prescribing dentist or physi- cian and surgeon. B. The name, address and phone number of the patient. C. The date the services are prescribed and the
Prior to the establishment of an independent practice, an RDHAP shall provide to the board documentation of an existing relationship with at least one dentist for referral, consultation, and emergency services [1].
LICENSURE All individuals practicing dentistry in California, with the exception of unlicensed dental assistants, must hold a current, valid license issued by the Board; California does not grant reciprocity with other states or nations. The Act requires that dental professionals meet certain education requirements, submit the correct applications and fees, pass the appropriate examinations, and submit a set of fingerprints. Fingerprinting is also required for license renewal if not previously conducted by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) or if records no longer exist [21]. Fingerprinting within California must be conducted using the DOJ Live Scan system; fingerprint records from other institutions (e.g., Department of Motor Vehicles) are not suitable, although ink-on-card fingerprints made at a law enforcement agency are acceptable if unable to travel to California. The required fingerprint cards must be requested from the Dental Board by phone or email [21]. The fingerprints will be used to conduct a criminal history record check and a state and federal level criminal offender record information search. Issuance, review, and revocation of RDH/RDHEF/RDHAP licenses and the development and administration of license examinations for these auxiliaries are handled by the Dental Hygiene Board of California. All other licensure, including that for RDAs/RDAEFs, is handled by the Dental Board (despite the existence of the Dental Assisting Council, whose purpose is to consider matters related to dental assisting practice and make recommendations to the board). Complaints, investigations, and enforcement are handled by either the Dental Hygiene Board or the Dental Board, according to profession, but the governing regulations and laws set forth in the California Dental Practice Act pertain to all dental professionals. Infor- mation about application for licensure to practice as a dentist or dental auxiliary can be found in CCR Section 1028 and CCR Sections 1076–1079.3, respectively. Specific information about the licensure application requirements and process for dentists and dental assistants can be found at https://www. dbc.ca.gov/applicants and for hygienists at https://www.dhbc. ca.gov/applicants. Effective July 2012, application for licensure may be denied based on delinquent state tax payments [1]. Similarly, current licenses/certifications/registrations may be revoked for failure to pay taxes.
expiration date of the prescription. The pre- scription shall be for dental hygiene services and, if necessary, include special instructions for the care of that patient.
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