California Code of Regulations › Title 16 - Professional and Vocational Regulations › Division 10 - Dental Board of California › Chapter 3 - Dental Auxiliaries › Article 1 - General Provisions › Section 1067 - Definitions

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
As used in this subchapter:
(a) "Dental auxiliary" means a person who may
				  perform dental supportive procedures authorized by the provisions of these
				  regulations under the specified supervision of a licensed dentist.
(b) "Dental assistant" means an unlicensed
				  person who may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by these
				  regulations under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
(c) "Registered dental assistant" or "RDA"
				  means a licensed person who may perform all procedures authorized by the
				  provisions of these regulations and in addition may perform all functions which
				  may be performed by a dental assistant under the designated supervision of a
				  licensed dentist.
(d) "Registered
				  dental hygienist" or "RDH" means a licensed person who may perform all
				  procedures authorized by the provisions of these regulations and in addition
				  may perform all functions which may be performed by a dental assistant and
				  registered dental assistant, under the designated supervision of a licensed
				  dentist.
(e) "Registered dental
				  assistant in extended functions" or "RDAEF" means a person licensed as a
				  registered dental assistant who has completed post-licensure clinical and
				  didactic training approved by the board and satisfactorily performed on an
				  examination designated by the board for registered dental assistant in extended
				  function applicants.
(f)
				  "Registered dental hygienist in extended functions" or "RDHEF" means a person
				  licensed as a registered dental hygienist who has completed post-licensure
				  clinical and didactic training approved by the board and satisfactorily
				  performed on an examination designated by the board for registered dental
				  hygienist in extended functions applicants.
(g) "Oral prophylaxis" means the preventive
				  dental procedures including complete removal of explorer-detectable calculus,
				  soft deposits, plaque, stains, and the smoothing of unattached tooth surfaces.
				  The objective of this treatment shall be creation of an environment in which
				  hard and soft tissues can be maintained in good health by the
				  patient.
(h) "Coronal polishing"
				  means a procedure limited to the removal of plaque and stain from exposed tooth
				  surfaces, utilizing an appropriate rotary instrument with rubber cup or brush
				  and a polishing agent.
(i) "Direct
				  supervision" means supervision of dental procedures based on instructions given
				  by a licensed dentist who must be physically present in the treatment facility
				  during performance of those procedures.
(j) "General supervision" means supervision
				  of dental procedures based on instructions given by a licensed dentist, but not
				  requiring the physical presence of the supervising dentist during the
				  performance of those procedures.
(k) "Satisfactory educational qualification"
				  means theory, laboratory and/or clinical experience approved by the
				  board.
(l) "Basic supportive dental
				  procedures" means fundamental duties or functions which may be performed by an
				  unlicensed dental assistant under the supervision of a licensed dentist because
				  of their technically elementary characteristics, complete reversibility and
				  inability to precipitate potentially hazardous conditions for the patient being
				  treated.
(m) "Root planing" means
				  the process of instrumentation by which the unattached surfaces of the root are
				  made smooth by the removal of calculus and/or cementum.
(n) "Periodontal soft tissue curettage" means
				  the closed removal of tissue lining the periodontal pocket, not involving the
				  reflection of a flap.
(o)
				  "Gingival" means pertaining to the gingivae, the mucous membrane with the
				  supporting fibrous tissue.
1. Change
					 without regulatory effect amending subsection (h) filed 9-11-89 pursuant to
					 section 100, title 1, California Code of
					 Regulations (Register 89, No. 37).
2. Repealer of subsections (q),
					 (r) and (s) filed 2-28-92; operative 3-30-92 (Register 92, No.
					 12).
3. Repealer of subsection (l), subsection relettering and
					 amendment of newly designated subsection (m) filed 6-11-98; operative 7-11-98
					 (Register 98, No. 24).
Note: Authority cited: Sections
						1614
						and
						1762,
						Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections
						1741(d),
						1754,
						1759,
						1760
						and
						1762,
						Business and Professions Code.