New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 13 - LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY › Chapter 30 - NEW JERSEY BOARD OF DENTISTRY › Subchapter 2 - DENTAL ASSISTANTS › Section 13:30-2.4 - Scope of practice of registered dental assistant

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) A registered dental assistant may perform the following duties under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist:
1. Isolate the operative field, including the placement and removal of rubber dams;
2. Place and remove matrices and wedges;
3. Place temporary restorations;
4. Remove excess cement from crowns or other restorations and orthodontic appliances. Such removal shall not include any subgingival cement or debris;
5. Remove sutures;
6. Fabricate and cement temporary crowns and bridges after preparation of tooth (teeth) by a dentist. This does not include intra-oral occlusal adjustment;
7. Etch teeth in preparation for bonding, sealants and desensitizing agents;
8. Place caries detecting agents;
9. Use instruments for caries detection. Such instruments shall not include lasers that are capable of altering, cutting, burning or damaging hard or soft tissue;
10. Perform hand removal of soft temporary restorations;
11. Perform hand removal of crowns and bridges that have been temporarily cemented;
12. Prepare coronal surfaces for bonding and restoration, with pumice and water only, not to include a prophylaxis;
13. Take alginate impressions;
14. Place amalgam, composite or gold foil in a tooth for condensation by the dentist;
15. Place and remove retraction cords and medicated pellets. This shall not include electrosurgery or the use of lasers for tissue retraction;
16. Perform bite registration procedures;
17. Place and remove periodontal dressings and other surgical dressings;
18. Trial size (pre-select) orthodontic bands, wires, stainless steel crowns and temporary crowns intra-orally or on diagnostic models;
19. Place and remove arch wires and ligature wires;
20. Take impressions for and perform laboratory fabrication of mouth guards. This shall not include insertion of the appliance;
21. Make radiographic exposures as permitted by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to 26:2D-24 et seq.;
22. Provide oral health education including dietary analysis and clinical instruction in order to promote dental health;
23. Apply topical anesthetic agents;
24. Take and record vital signs;
25. Retract patient's cheek, tongue or other tissue parts during a dental procedure;
26. Remove such debris as is normally created in the course of treatment during or after dental procedures by vacuum devices, compressed air, mouthwashes and water;
27. Use a curing light for any dental procedure. Such curing light shall not include a laser capable of altering, cutting, burning, or damaging hard or soft tissue or for electrosurgery for tissue retraction;
28. Take dental photographs including the use of intra-oral cameras;
29. Select shades of prosthetic appliances;
30. Demonstrate home-use bleaching systems and apply bleaching agents;
31. Apply hot or cold packs pursuant to the direction of a licensed dentist;
32. Administer a topical treatment on a patient after a licensed dentist or licensed dental hygienist has performed a prophylaxis;
33. Assist a licensed dentist in the administration of nitrous oxide, provided the licensed dentist is physically present in the operatory at all times during the procedure;
34. Provide prophylactic and preventive measures, such as the application of fluorides and pit and fissure sealants and other recognized topical agents for the prevention of oral disease or discomfort. This shall not include prophylaxis;
35. Take impressions for orthodontic appliances. The supervising licensed dentist shall review and evaluate the impression prior to its use for fabrication;
36. Place orthodontic separators. The supervising licensed dentist shall ensure proper placement;
37. Remove bands and brackets without the use of rotary instruments; and
38. Perform emergency treatment to provide immediate relief from an offending appliance, such as clip a protruding arch wire or remove a loose bracket.