Members in attendance asked about and received clarification on licensure of temporary employees, timing of infection control and X-ray courses, permits needed for nitrous oxide, whether assistants should be paid to take additional coursework and other issues.
CDA provides guidance for dentist-employers who must ensure their unlicensed dental assistants complete the dental board-approved eight hour infection control course per the new timeline.
In dentistry, where the demands of patient care and business management intertwine, practice owners often experience the complex challenge of…
Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, unlicensed dental assistants in California must complete the required eight-hour infection control course prior to exposure to blood and saliva.
The shortage of dental assistants impacts the productivity of the total practice. CDA members benefit from easy-to-implement training programs and staffing support plus legislative advocacy pursued on behalf of California practices.
Local dental societies and dentists have successfully launched dental assistant training programs to provide effective, accelerated training to the labor force in their areas. Some of these utilize CDA’s Dental Assistant Training curriculum. Learn more about these local programs and CDA’s upcoming Smile Crew CA Dental Assistant Training Bootcamp.
Identity or treatment plan mistakes can occur in any dental practice. Research by TDIC’s analysts reveals the most commonly occurring elements are referral slip errors, performance or production pressure and staffing shortages. Prevention requires a proactive approach.
Legislation introduced this month tackles California’s dental assistant workforce shortage on two fronts – both by updating scope of practice and creating new pathways to licensure, including by shortening the current required on-the-job training.
The four-part series explores the crucial stages of finding qualified candidates, successfully integrating new team members into the dental practice and retaining top talent.
In-office dental assistant training has arrived for the many CDA members who continue to have challenges finding and hiring qualified dental assistants for their practice. The curriculum provides 12 weeks of supportive online learning for use alongside in-office training.
The 2022-23 state budget signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom includes all of CDA’s priority asks, making significant gains for dentistry and oral health with major investments in health care workforce development.
Dental assistant training programs are successfully placing graduates in California dental practices. One recent graduate, Liz Martinez, changed her career as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and is now employed by a dental practice in San Francisco.
