Quick Tips for the Dental Office
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Expanded Function Dental Assistants ( EFDA ) Supervision and Scope of Practice
Supervision in Dental Facilities
Expanded function dental assistants ( EFDAs ) must always practice under the direct supervision of a dentist . Direct supervision is defined as the dentist personally diagnosing the condition to be treated , personally authorizing the procedure and remaining on premises while the EFDA performs the procedure . Before dismissal of the patient , the dentist must personally evaluate the work performed by the EFDA .
Scope of Professional Practice
An EFDA may perform the following services under the direct supervision of a dentist :
• Placing a removing rubber dams
• Placing a removing matrices
• Placing and removing wedges
• Applying cavity liners and bases
• Placing and condensing amalgam restorations
• Carving and contouring amalgam restorations
• Placing and finishing composite resin restorations or sealant material , or both
• Performing coronal polishing *
• Performing fluoride treatments , including fluoride varnish
• Take impressions of teeth for study models , diagnostic casts or athletic appliances
* Note : Coronal polishing is defined as a procedure limited to the supragingival removal of light plaque and extrinsic stain from the exposed natural and restored surfaces of the teeth using rotary instruments with a rubber cup or brush and a polishing agent ; the term does not include calculus removal .
Prohibitions : An EFDA may not perform the following procedures :
• Complete or limited examination , diagnosis and treatment planning
• Surgical or cutting procedures of hard or soft tissue
• Prescribing drugs , medicaments or work authorizations
• Final inspection and approval of restorative and other treatment which affects occlusion and necessary occlusal adjustments
• Pulp capping , pulpotomy and other endodontic procedures
• Placement and intraoral adjustments of fixed and removable prosthetic appliances
• Administration of local anesthesia , parenteral or inhalational sedation , nitrous oxide analgesia or general anesthesia
• Take impressions other than for study models , diagnostic casts or athletic appliances
2021