The Dental Board of California issued three alerts on April 14 to licensed dental professionals related to new fingerprinting requirements, changes to application requirements for registered dental assistants effective July 1, and the new registered dental assisting examination and licensure application that will be available July 1.
Applicants must obtain dental board’s approval to fingerprint
California-licensed dentists, permitted dental assistants, registered dental assistants and RDAEFs who do not have a fingerprint on record in the dental board’s section of the Department of Consumer Affairs’ online licensing and enforcement system BreEZe are required to submit their fingerprint before renewing their license.
But, in a change the dental board announced last month, applicants must obtain the board’s approval before they complete and submit their fingerprints. Once the dental professional has applied for a license or permit, the board “will review the application and send a Live Scan Form to the applicants that have been authorized to fingerprint,” the board states in the alert.
New RDA exam and licensure application available July 1
The dental board announced that a new Registered Dental Assisting Examination and Licensure application and all related forms will be available on the board’s website under “Dental Assisting Licenses and Permits” by July 1.
New pathways to RDA licensure and application requirements effective July 1
As CDA reported last year, the dental board’s sunset bill made several changes to the requirements for individuals pursuing a registered dental assistant license. It (1) established three new pathways to qualify for RDA licensure, (2) revised the expiration dates for certain course completion certificates and (3) requires, beginning July 1, a pit and fissure sealants certificate with a submitted RDA application.
The dental board announced that forms supporting the newly established pathways will be available on the board’s website July 1.
Additionally, the expiration dates for course completion certificates have changed for individuals applying for RDA licensure, orthodontic assistant permits and dental sedation assistant permits. The dental board cited the following changes:
- Dental Practice Act and Infection Control course certificates must indicate the course was completed within two years of the application date.
- Coronal polishing, pit and fissure sealants and ultrasonic scaling certificates must indicate the course was completed within five years of the application date.
- Radiation safety certificates must indicate the course was completed within 10 years of the application date.
How to receive important dental board announcements
The dental board typically posts news and alerts for licensed dental professionals on its website homepage and emails announcements to licensees who are signed up to receive alerts.
Although CDA frequently shares important announcements from the dental board, dentists may want to confirm they are signed up for and receiving the board’s alerts at their preferred email address so they do not miss major updates about new procedures, regulations and laws.