Oregon Dental Assistants Association

Rules and Regulations for Dental Assistants in Oregon: How Well Do You Know Legal and Prohibited Duties or Functions?

This free two credit continuing education course is designed as a brain teaser in knowledge of Division 42, dental assisting and expanded function duties that are legal or prohibited in the state of Oregon. The course uses the official State of Oregon Board of Dentistry published information from the website.

Once you have accessed the website, scroll down the left border and select Regulations. Click on the Dental Practice Act dated July 12, 2012. Scroll to the last pages of the document. Division 42 is the last 6 pages. Select the specific answer by choosing the exact rule or regulation for the specific question. Example: 818-042-0010 (3) - or - 818-042-0115 (1b). Check the question/answer sheet carefully as some questions may have two or more parts.

The second page of this course has a blank answer sheet. After reviewing Division 42 and answering the required sixteen questions, place answers in the correct space. Print a copy for your reference. A confirmation will only be sent to assistants who need CE documentation for DANB’s CDA renewal. After answering all questions email the answer sheet only to: sheribilletter @ yahoo.com.

  1. A dentist or hygienist is responsible for assuring that a dental assistant has been properly trained, has demonstrated proficiency, and is supervised in all duties the assistant performs in the dental office. Unless otherwise specified, dental assistants shall work under indirect supervision in the dental office.
  2. Passes a clinical examination approved by the Board and graded by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB), or any other testing entity authorized by the Board, consisting of exposing, developing and mounting a full mouth series of radiographs.
  3. Upon successful completion of a course of instruction in a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, or other course of instruction approved by the Board, a certified Expanded Function Dental Assistant may perform the following functions under the indirect supervision of a dentist providing that the procedure is checked by the dentist prior to the patient being dismissed. Apply pit and fissure sealants and apply temporary soft denture relines to full dentures.
  4. “Indirect Supervision” means supervision requiring that a dentist authorize the procedures and that a dentist be on the premises while the procedures are performed.
  5. The supervising dentist or dental hygienist is responsible for assuring that all required licenses, permits or certificates are current and posted in a conspicuous place.
  6. Place and remove matrix retainers for alloy and composite restorations.
  7. Remove fixed orthodontic appliances and remove/replace orthodontic wires.
  8. A dentist holding the appropriate anesthesia permit may verbally authorize a Certified Anesthesia Dental Assistant to: Administer medications into an existing IV line of a patient under sedation or anesthesia under direct visual supervision.
  9. Dental Assistants moving from another state must provide proof of five items as listed under a specific regulation. These are listed in OAR______.
  10. The supervising dentist shall be responsible for assuring that dental assistants are trained in infection control, bloodborne pathogens and universal precautions, exposure control, personal protective equipment, infectious waste disposal, Hepatitis B and C and post exposure follow up.

No licensee may authorize any dental assistant to perform the following acts:

  1. Start nitrous oxide.
  2. Use behavior management techniques known as HOM or HOMAR on any patient.
  3. Use ultrasonic equipment intra-orally except as provided in OAR 818-042-0100.
  4. Diagnose or plan treatment.
  5. Place any cord subgingivally.
  6. Use a high-speed handpiece or any device that is operated by a high-speed handpiece intra-orally.

Go to the next page for the answer sheet

Oregon Dental Assistants Association

Post Examination for CE credit: Rules and Regulations for Dental Assistants in Oregon: How Well Do You Know Legal or Prohibited Duties and Functions?

Name:______

ADAA/ODAA member Number:______

Email Address:______

All answers begin with: 818-042 _____ . Example: You only need to list the last 4 digits and if it is (1) or (2a) (3) etc.

1.______

2.______

3.______and ______

4.______

5.______

6.______

7.______and______

8.______

9.______,______,______,______and______

10.______

11.______

12.______

13.______

14.______

15.______

16.______

Email to:

If you need DANB credits a certificate will be emailed back to you with confirmation of the course.