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Dental Assistant and Dental Hygienist
UCI Series Concepts
Class Specifications - H.45
Supervisory Dental Assistant - 9195
Registered Dental Assistant - 9196
Supervisory Dental Assistant (Teaching Clinic) - 9197
Registered Dental Assistant (Teaching Clinic) - 9198
Dental Hygienist - 9190
Dental Aide - 9200
November, 1978
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SERIES CONCEPT
Under the supervision of a licensed dentist, Dental Assistants perform
supportive procedures in the clinical treatment of patients and/or the
training of dental students; and perform other duties as assigned.
Dental Assistants may take impressions, for diagnostic and opposing
models; apply non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents; remove
post-extraction and periodontal dressings; place elastic orthodontic
separators; remove orthodontic separators; assist in the administration
of nitrous oxide, when used as an analgesic; hold anterior matrices;
remove sutures; take intraoral measurements for orthodontic procedures;
seat and adjust retainers or headgears, including appropriate instructions;
check for loose bands; remove arch wires and ligature ties; apply
topical fluoride, after scaling and polishing by the supervising dentist
or a dental hygienist; place and remove rubber dams; place, wedge and
remove matrices; perform general oral radiology such as bite-wing,
occlusal, and intraoral single region examinations including all
processing work; and assist in teaching educational programs for dental
students such as televised instructions or demonstrations in classroom
settings.
CLASS CONCEPTS
Supervisory Dental Assistant
Under general direction, incumbents are assigned as their preponderant
duty the responsibility for the full supervision of a group of dental
assistants and related support personnel in a formally recognized unit
in a dental clinic.
Incumbents select, train, evaluate and recommend corrective disciplinary
actions for subordinates; develop and implement educational programs and
objectives for dental assistants and aides; may provide input for budget
planning; and may coordinate and recommend equipment and supply orders.
Registered Dental Assistant
Under general supervision and in addition to the duties listed in the
Series Concept, incumbents perform complex and technical procedures such
as mouth-mirror inspections of the oral cavity to include charting of
obvious lesions, existing restorations and missing teeth; and place and
remove temporary sedative dressings.
Under the direct supervision of a dentist, incumbents obtain endodontic
cultures; dry canals (previously opened by the dentist) with absorbent
points; test pulp vitality; monitor blood pressure, temperature, pulse
and respiration; place bases and liners on sound dentin; remove cement
excess from supragingival surfaces of teeth; size stainless steel
crowns; temporary crowns and bands; cement and remove temporary crowns
and bands; place orthodontic separators; place and ligate arch wires;
and place post-extraction and periodontal dressings.
Incumbents may also perform extra-oral chairside-assisting duties in a
specialty clinic such as orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, or oral
surgery. Incumbents obtain and prepare supplies for procedures to be
performed, obtain instruments for specialized procedures assuring that
they are in working condition, and anticipate techniques dentists will
use and hand appropriate instrumentation and materials to the dentist in
a prescribed manner.
Supervisory Dental Assistant (Teaching Clinic)
Under general direction, incumbents are assigned as their preponderant
duty the responsibility for the full supervision of a group of
Registered Dental Assistants (Teaching Clinic) and other related
personnel in a formally recognized unit in a teaching clinical setting.
Incumbents select, train, evaluate, and recommend corrective
disciplinary actions for subordinates; develop and implement education
programs and objectives for Registered Dental Assistants (Teaching
Clinic); may provide input for budget planning; and may coordinate and
recommend equipment and supply orders.
Registered Dental Assistant (Teaching Clinic)
Under general supervision and in addition to the duties performed by
Registered Dental Assistants, incumbents are assigned continuing
responsibility to assist members of the dental faculty in the training
and evaluation of dental students in the techniques as outlined in the
Series Concept.
Incumbents train students in the proper utilization of different levels
of dental assistants; instruct students in the performance of basic
supportive procedures; and consult with faculty members in the
evaluation of student progress.
Dental Assistant
Under supervision, incumbents perform the full range of duties listed in
the Series Concept.
Dental Aide
Under close supervision, incumbents perform a variety of semi-skilled
duties such as maintaining dental equipment and supplies; cleaning and
lubricating headpieces; cleaning, sharpening and sterilizing
instruments; preparing preset trays according to standards; mixing
filling materials and dental cements; and conveying post-operative
instructions.
Incumbents may also perform clerical work on an occasional basis and
perform basic supportive dental procedures that have technically
elementary characteristics, complete reversibility, and an inability
to precipitate potentially hazardous conditions for the patient.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Supervisory Dental Assistant
Possession of the legal requirements to practice as a Registered Dental
Assistant as determined by the California Board of Dental Examiners; and
three years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education and
experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful
performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Registered Dental Assistant
Possession of the legal requirements to practice as a Registered Dental
Assistant as determined by the California Board of Dental Examiners and
knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the
duties assigned to the position.
Supervisory Dental Assistant (Teaching Clinic)
Possession of the legal requirements to practice as a Registered Dental
Assistant as determined by the California Board of Dental Examiners;
four years of experience including one year with assigned responsibility
to train and evaluate student performance; or an equivalent
combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities
essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the
position.
Registered Dental Assistant (Teaching Clinic)
Possession of the legal requirements to practice as a Registered Dental
Assistant as determined by the California Board of Dental Examiners; one
year of experience; completion of an on-the-job or a formal course in
methods and techniques of conducting job training; or an equivalent
combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities
essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the
position.
Dental Assistant
Completion of a program in dental assistance; or one year experience
working in a dental office; or an equivalent combination of education
and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful
performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Dental Aide
Graduation from high school or possession of a General Education
Diploma; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and
knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the
duties assigned to the position.
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