The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) supports and provides assistance to Dentists chair-side. Assists with set-up of equipment, prepares patient for treatment and assists during procedures. The RDA works under the supervision of the Dentist and Lead Registered Dental Assistant and reports to the Health Center Manager. Interprets Dentist’s orders in terms understandable to patients of varied educational and cultural backgrounds. Works with a multi-cultural population of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and ages.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Dentist or the Lead RDA, the RDA/RDAEF may perform the following duties:

• Sterilizes, prepares and arranges equipment and accessories.
• Keeps dental department and equipment neat, clean and sanitary.
• Utilizes common dental instruments, equipment and materials.
• Utilizes and understands dental terminology.
• Takes digital dental x-rays.
• Instructs patients in the proper practices of dental hygiene.
• Assists in the dental laboratory.
• Documents patient visits utilizing electronic dental records.
• Mixes amalgam.
• Takes impressions for diagnostic and opposing models.
• Removes sutures.
• Places and removes rubber dams.
• Places wedge and removes all matrices. Holds anterior matrices.
• Applies topical fluoride after scaling and polishing is provided by the supervising Dentist. 
• Applies sealant.
• Performs coronal polishing.
• Applies non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents.
• Removes post-extraction and periodontal dressings.
• Assists in the administration of gases; does not adjust the flow of the gases unless instructed to do so by Dentist, who shall be present at the patient’s chair-side at the implementation of these instructions. This regulation shall not be construed to prevent any person from taking appropriate action in the event of a medical emergency.
• Assists with orthodontic procedures such as placing and removing elastic orthodontic separators, taking intra-oral measurements for orthodontic procedures, seating adjusted retainers or headgears, checking for loose bands, removing arch wires and ligature ties.
• Interacts in a professional manner and works collaboratively with Clinicas’ staff and patients.
• Provides excellent customer service to patients, vendors and employees.
• May assist patients with mental illness, substance abuse problems and or/emotional disturbance.
• Perform other duties as assigned including participation in all safety programs which may include assignment to an emergency response team.

Functions specific to RDA Extended Functions: (These duties are to be performed under direct supervision of a licensed Dentist. Procedures shall be checked and approved by the supervising dentist prior to dismissal of the patient.)

• Cord retraction of gingivae for impression procedures
• Takes impression for cast restorations, space maintainers, orthodontic appliances and occlusal guards.
• Prepares enamel by etching for bonding
• Formulates indirect patterns for endodontic post and core castings
• Fits trial endodontic filling points
• Applies pit and fissure sealants
• Removes excess cement from subgingival tooth surfaces with a hand instrument
• Applies etchant for bonding of restorative materials