AB 402

This bill establishes a certification program for expanded function dental

auxiliaries administered by the Dentistry Examining Board. Under the bill, a person

who is not licensed as a dentist or as a dental hygienist may perform the following

activities, as delegated and supervised by a licensed dentist, if the person is certified

by the examining board as an expanded function dental auxiliary: 1) placing and

finishing restoration material after a dentist prepares a tooth for restoration; 2)

applying sealants; 3) coronal polishing; 4) impressions; 5) temporizations; 6) packing

cord; 7) removing cement from crowns; 8) adjusting dentures and other removable

oral appliances; 9) removing sutures and dressings; 10) supragingival scaling; and

11) applying topical fluoride, fluoride varnish, or similar dental topical agent. The

bill authorizes the examining board to promulgate rules for the certification and

practice of expanded function dental auxiliaries, but prohibits the examining board

from promulgating rules that allow an expanded function dental auxiliary to cut

hard or soft tissue, diagnose, or plan treatments.

The examining board may grant a permanent certification as an expanded

function dental auxiliary to an applicant who, among other things, has practiced as

a dental assistant for a certain period, completes an accredited instructional

program, and is proficient in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Under the bill, the

examining board investigates, holds hearings, and makes findings pertaining to

violations of the bill and other statutes enforced by the examining board, and the

examining board may impose on violators the same penalties that apply under

current law to dentists and dental hygienists.