Section 33.205a. Practice as an expanded function dental assistant

(a) Scope of professional practice.

(1) An expanded function dental assistant may offer to perform or perform the following services:

(i) Placing and removing rubber dams.

(ii) Placing and removing matrices.

(iii) Placing and removing wedges.

(iv) Applying cavity liners and bases.

(v) Placing and condensing amalgam restorations.

(vi) Carving and contouring amalgam restorations.

(vii) Placing and finishing composite resin restorations or sealant material, or both.

(viii) Performing coronal polishing as defined in § 33.1 (relating to definitions).

(ix) Performing fluoride treatments, including fluoride varnish.

(x) Taking impressions of teeth for study models, diagnostic casts or athletic appliances.

(2) Each of the professional services identified in paragraph (1) shall be performed under the direct supervision of a dentist.

(b) Prohibitions. An expanded function dental assistant may not perform the following procedures:

(1) Complete or limited examination, diagnosis and treatment planning.

(2) Surgical or cutting procedures of hard or soft tissue.

(3) Prescribing drugs, medicaments or work authorizations.

(4) Final inspection and approval of restorative and other treatment which affects occlusion and necessary occlusal adjustments.

(5) Pulp capping, pulpotomy and other endodontic procedures.

(6) Placement and intraoral adjustments of fixed and removable prosthetic appliances.

(7) Administration of local anesthesia, parenteral or inhalational sedation, nitrous oxide analgesia or general anesthesia.

(8) Take impressions other than for study models, diagnostic casts or athletic appliances.

(c) Supervision. Expanded function dental assistants shall perform under the direct supervision of a dentist. Direct supervision means that a dentist is in the dental office or treatment facility, personally diagnoses the condition to be treated, personally authorizes the procedure and remains in the dental office or treatment facility while the procedure is being performed by the expanded function dental assistant, and, before dismissal of the patient, personally evaluates the work performed by the expanded function dental assistant.

The provisions of this § 33.205a adopted May 12, 2000, effective May 13, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 2359; amended September 7, 2012, effective September 8, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 5736. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (348144) and (360159).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 33.205a amended under sections 2—5.1, 10—11.5 and 11.7 of The Dental Law (63 P. S. § § 121—124.1, 129—129.1, 130, 130e and 130h); and section 4 of the act of April 29, 2010 (P. L. 176, No. 19).

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 33.117 (relating to EFDA program approval).