Expanded Functions of Dental Assistants
Dental Assistant are expected to perform "basic supportive dental procedures", that is, dental procedures that have technically elementary characteristics, are completely reversible, and are unlikely to post potentially hazardous conditions for the patient being treated. Some states require Dental Assistants to be trained in a variety of “expanded duties”. Each state differs in expected requirements. Florida and Minnesota are the two states I am going to focus on.
Dental Assistants in the state of Florida must have formal training to perform multiple expanded functions. For an individual to perform the expanded functions of a Dental Assistant they must graduate from a CODA accredited Dental Assisting program provided that it includes the appropriate training in expanded functions. Kaplan College in Jacksonville, FL is one of these schools. The other way a Dental Assistant that lives in Florida can perform expanded duties is if they successfully complete a Florida Board approved expanded duties training program.
Florida offers 14 expanded functions under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, 18 expanded functions under indirect supervision of the dentist and 2 expanded functions under general supervision. These expanded functions allow a Dental Assistant in the state of Florida to be a huge asset to a dental clinic. Florida offers one of the longest lists of expanded functions available for the Dental Assistant to perform. By learning to be comfortable with the expanded functions, you are allowing yourself to learn beyond the average assistant and excelling at your career.
Some of the 14 expanded functions that are required of a Dental Assistant under direct supervision of a licensed dentist include: ~ Using appropriate implements for preliminary charting of the existing restorations and missing teeth and visual assessment of existing oral conditions. ~Packing and removing retraction cord. ~Polishing clinical crowns when not for the
Dental Assistants in the state of Florida must have formal training to perform multiple expanded functions. For an individual to perform the expanded functions of a Dental Assistant they must graduate from a CODA accredited Dental Assisting program provided that it includes the appropriate training in expanded functions. Kaplan College in Jacksonville, FL is one of these schools. The other way a Dental Assistant that lives in Florida can perform expanded duties is if they successfully complete a Florida Board approved expanded duties training program.
Florida offers 14 expanded functions under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, 18 expanded functions under indirect supervision of the dentist and 2 expanded functions under general supervision. These expanded functions allow a Dental Assistant in the state of Florida to be a huge asset to a dental clinic. Florida offers one of the longest lists of expanded functions available for the Dental Assistant to perform. By learning to be comfortable with the expanded functions, you are allowing yourself to learn beyond the average assistant and excelling at your career.
Some of the 14 expanded functions that are required of a Dental Assistant under direct supervision of a licensed dentist include: ~ Using appropriate implements for preliminary charting of the existing restorations and missing teeth and visual assessment of existing oral conditions. ~Packing and removing retraction cord. ~Polishing clinical crowns when not for the
Cited: (1) http://www.payscale.com Average state salary (2) http://www.danb.org Educational requirements and allowable functions