How to Become a Dental Assistant in California

The job of a dental assistant may not be as the one of a dentist, but it has its perks and responsibilities.

In some clinics, dental assistants are the face of the practice.

They have to be kind and welcoming and to treat every patient with respect, as well as keep clients’ personal information safe.

An assistant in a dental office has to be motivated and be able to move with ease in a fast-paced environment.

Dental Assistants in California in Numbers

The state of California is the largest employer of dental assistants in the USA.

According to the Dental Board of California, there were 45,510 actively practicing dental assistants in the state in 2013.

It is expected this number to grow by the year 2022 reaching 52,200 individuals.

This will result in about 1,640 job openings in the state of California every year.

There are regulations regarding dental assistants in the state according to the Dental Board of California.

Assistants in dental offices are divided into four different professional categories.

They are the following:

• RDA (Registered Dental Assistants)
• Unlicensed dental assistants
• Holders of a dental sedation assistant permit
• Holders of an orthodontic assistant permit.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in California?

Each one of the categories listed above has different requirements.

These requirements are easily achievable by dental assistants who have successfully passed a dental assisting program that has been accredited by the CODA (Commission on Dental Assisting).

These programs are omnipresent in the state of California.

Currently, there are 24 such programs in the state.

Each program includes some coursework, as well as practice in both administrative and clinical aspects, and can be finished in a year.

If you are an unlicensed dental assistant you can perform some basic dental duties but under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.

You also need to meet the following requirements:

• You must have completed a course in BLS (Basic Life Support), that has been approved by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
• Course in infection control approved by the Board
• Course in the California Dental Practice Act approved by the Board
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification

Here are all Board-approved programs – https://www.dbc.ca.gov/applicants/rda/courses.shtml

To be an RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) in the state of California, one has to meet the requirements listed below:

• Have 15 months of experience as a dental assistant or graduate from an RDA Board-approved program
• Course in infection control approved by the Board
• Course in the California Dental Practice Act approved by the Board
• You must have completed a course in BLS, that has been approved by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
• Complete a written exam in-laws and ethics
• Complete a Board-approved program in coronal polishing and radiation safety

When all of these criteria are met candidates can fill in an application for an RDA license.

To perform some expanded duties dental assistants must become licensed as an RDAEF (Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions).

To receive a certification in RDAEF students must meet the following requirements:

• Pass a clinical, practical and written Board-approved exam
• Complete a Board-approved pit and fissure sealants course
• Complete a Board-approved course in extended functions

When all of the above criteria are met individuals must apply for the RDAEF through the Dental Board of California.

To become a Dental Sedation Assistant permit holders, dental assistants have to be an RDAEFs or RDAs and meet the following requirements:

• Complete a Board-approved dental sedation assistant course
• Pass the written state exam in dental sedation duties
• You must have completed a course in BLS, that has been approved by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross
• Complete a Board-approved California Dental Practice Act course
• Complete a Board-approved infection control course
• Have 12 months of practice as a dental assistant

When all of the above criteria are met individuals must apply for a Dental Sedation Assistant permit.

Dental assistants in the state of California have to obtain a permit to become orthodontic assistants.

To be eligible for such permit individuals have to meet the following requirements:

• Must be an RDA/RDAEF
• Complete a Board-approved California Dental Practice Act course
• You must have completed a course in BLS, that has been approved by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross
• Complete a Board-approved infection control course
• Have 12 months of experience as a dental assistant
• Complete a Board-approved orthodontic assistant course
• Pass an orthodontic written exam

When all of the above criteria are met individuals must apply for an Orthodontic Assistant Permit.

National Options for Certification in Dental Assisting

After the successful completion of a dental assisting program accredited by the CODA, students can obtain national certification through the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board).

These certifications are a huge plus to the resume of candidates in the field of dental assisting.

There are a few options for certification offered by the DANB:

• COA (Certified Orthodontic Assistant)
• CPFDA (Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant)
• CDA (Certified Dental Assistant)
• CRFDA (Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant)

The basic certification that almost all students pursue is the CDA.

It can be achieved after the successful completion of three component exams.

To be eligible for the CDA exams individuals must graduate from a dental assisting program accredited by the CODA or have 3,500 hours of dental assisting experience.

Sadly, all DANB credentials must be renewed annually.

All of them needs at least 30 credits in the listed below areas:

• At least 12 credits in clinical practice
• At least 3 credits in dental office management
• At least 3 credits in voluntary service/scholarly activity
• At least 12 credits in DANB/other exams in the dental field

Job Opportunities for Dental Assistants in the State of California

According to the statistics offered by the State of California Employment Development Department for the year 2014, the largest employers of dental assistants were physician offices, numbering 63,218 employers.

They are followed by dental offices with 27,065 employers in the state.

Lastly, there are outpatient care centers with numbers reaching 7,547 employers.

Unemployed assistants can look for job opportunities in larger cities and areas, where more jobs are available every month, such as the Bay Area, San Francisco, San Diego, North Coast, Monterey and more.

Don’ts for a Dental Assistant in California

• Any kind of procedure regarding permanent restorations, such as placement and removal
• Diagnose treatment
• Plan treatment
• Cutting and surgical procedures on hard tissue
• Cutting and surgical procedures on soft tissue
• Prescribe medication
• Prophylaxis procedures and more.

How Much Does a Dental Assistant in California Earn?

Schools Offering Dental Assisting Programs in California

Dental Assisting by State