Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Certification – Everything You Need to Know

The key difference between Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants is based on the duties that each performs. Usually, a Registered Dental Assistant is allowed to perform exclusive roles within a dental clinic that unregistered Dental Assistants cannot. For example, RDAs perform coronal polishing which unregistered dental assistants do not. Several such functions are exclusive to the registered dental assistant.

The RDAProgram is a great initiative to take the job of a dental assistant to the next level. Dental Assistants are integral members of dentistry teams. They spend their days, focusing both on patients as well as on administrative duties in the clinic. Dental Assistants happen to improve value and proficiency within a practice.

In numerous states, including the state of California, it is not mandatory to be licensed as a Registered Dental assistant. However, various laws state that RDA license holders can legally perform an extensive variety of specific duties but unlicensed practitioners cannot. As requirement in this field is growing steadily, numerous dental assistant programs California are opening up avenues for registered dental assistants. 

How Can You Become a Registered Dental Assistant?

It is simple enough to become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) through the RDA Programs in California. This multi-step process, involves an application process, evidence of education or experience, completion of board-approved courses, and finally testing. Dental Board decides the entire guidelines of the process.

To précis, you must ensure that you tick each of the following checklists to become a licensed RDA.

•  A graduate, or have 15 months of work experience as a Dental Assistant.
• Complete courses in coronal polishing and radiation safety.
• In 5 years of your RDA application, you should effectively finish a 2-hour Board-supported seminar on the California Dental Practice Act and an 8-hour Board-endorsed disease control course.
• Complete and pass an American Heart Affiliation endorsed course in Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Apply for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant Leading body of California.
• Qualify the consolidated composed RDA General Law and Ethics exam.

Your application is usually approved within 30 days in case there are no issues with the procedure.

How is a Registered Dental Assistant different from Dental Assistant?

The primary difference between an RDA and a dental assistant is widely based on the duties that they perform. An RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) can carry out more asks than a dental assistant. Being a registered dental assistant is easy now, for several institutions like MDS Dental Assisting Academy offer quality dental assistant programs and job placements.

In a few states, it is not obligatory to be a registered dental assistant. But if you are serious about the job and want to dive deeper, you need to be an RDA. Dental assistants are important for a dentistry team even if they are not registered. It is because as a dental assistant you focus on both the clinical and administrative aspects providing equilibrium to the team.

What are the responsibilities of RDA?

After completing RDA programs in California, and being a licensed professional, you get to perform certain tasks that are restricted for a non-licensed professional. Below are the responsibilities that are assigned to certified dental assistants:

• Performing mouth-mirror inspection of the oral cavity
• Charting lesions, restorations, and missing teeth
• Placement and removal of temporary sedative dressings
• Removing the sediment at the crown of the teeth with floss.
• Adding and removing crowns and stainless bands
• Fabrication of temporary crowns
• Coronal polishing
• Temporary cementation

What skills are necessary for a registered dental assistant to have?

Besides mastering the core technical competencies assessed by the certification exam and other licensing requirements, a successful RDA needs to have a few indispensable qualities. They are:

• Attention to detail

Focusing on the detailed execution of dental procedures is a must for any RDA. Details about writing medical records of patients, optingfor the appropriate apparatuses for a procedure, following health and sanitation guidelines before and after the procedure,and supporting individual s’needs to be taken care of by an RDA.

• Effective communication

Communication is the key to an RDA. They have a widerange of responsibilities that require communication. This includes interacting with patients, their family members, and medical professionals throughout the day. So, engaging in successful communication is vital. For that, you need to be polite and understanding and at the same time must have great listening power.

• Organization

Organizational skills are vital for any RDA. Since they manage patients’ medical history to medical bills, they must be very organized and systemic in their everyday approach. An RDA with impeccable organizing skills can maintain balance in the workplace.

An RDA or a dental assistant performs the amazing task by taking care of the overall oral health. You now have access to an online rda course California providing certified courses on dental assisting and the opportunity of studying from anywhere. Choosing the career path as an RDA is choosing a noble job that keeps you connected to the patient and helps you balance the workflow of a dentistry team.