need RDA to assist a dentist?

[santal907]

I am a pre-dental student and will take a year(s) off after I graduate. During that time I'd like to work in dental office. Do I have to have RDA or something to assist a dentist?

thanx!

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[CMistry]

I was in he exact same position as you last year. There is no doubt it is difficult to get a job as a dental assistant without being registered (you can obtain an RDA degree through many techinical schools and CCs). However I feel that the younger dentists who worked as assistants are more understanding, and if you explain your passion of dentistry they may take you aboard their team and show you the ropes. You have to understand though, they could easily hire someone who has all the knowledge already acquired. So make sure you bring up your dedication and reliability.

-Cyrus

 

[charlestweed]

No, you don’t have to have RDA license to assist a dentist. However, you will get paid more if you have the license. In California, with the RDA license you can:
- Work as an orthodontic RDA. You can fit bands, change arch wires and elastic ties. And get paid 20+ dollars an hour.
- Make temporary crowns
- Do prophy (coronal polishing) after the dentist finishes scaling the patients’ teeth

I don’t think it is harder to get a job if you don’t have the RDA license. Some dentists only want to hire a DA (dental assistant w/o a license) because they don’t want to write a big paycheck.

 

[cel083]

In the state of TX, you may do only "reversible" procedures w/o any permits. With the Registered Dental Assistant permit, you may take radiographs (must take 8 hour course in radiography, jurisprudence, and infection control---this can be done online with a course from the Texas Academy of General Dentistry). You may take radiographs for a year after obtaining employment w/o RDA permit, but absolutely no longer. And with separate permits, one will allow you to monitor conscious sedation (namely, lower the amount or turn it off), and the other will allow you to apply pit and fissure sealants or something like that---after 2 years of experience as a DA, with the permit, and only under the supervision of a Medicaid dentist or if the dentist practices in an area declared as underserved by the federal or TX government (pit and fissures sealant permit only, not conscious sedation or RDA). Not knowing where you live, this may or may not help you.

I've started the TAGD course---hope to do the conscious sedation one later at San Antonio College or UTHSCSA School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Dental Hygiene.

 

[cel083]

What I'm interested is how do you become an oral/maxillofacial surgery assistant? Do I have to go to surgery technology school or can I do some things on the job?

 

[santal907]

Thank you for your replies!!

I researched a little bit and found out that in order to get RDA in CA I have to attend the class for a year👎 or work as an assistant for a year and get a rec letter from the doctor.. is it right? Is there a shorter way to get RDA in CA? And if I get X-ray certification, is it easier to get the job? It's kinda expensive. I'm not sure it's worth it or not. what do you guys think?
I have so many questions.. sorry and THANX!!

 

[bodiddely]

For the purposes of dental school applications, I don't think they will really care whether you are an RDA who works as a dental assistant or a non-RDA who works as a dental assistant. Either one will be valuable dental experience on your application 👍

You shouldn't really be worried about becoming an RDA unless that is what you want to do for your career. If it's just to make money for a year and bolster a D-school app then just try to get a job as a dental assistant period.

In the state of TX, you may do only "reversible" procedures w/o any permits. With the Registered Dental Assistant permit, you may take radiographs (must take 8 hour course in radiography, jurisprudence, and infection control---this can be done online with a course from the Texas Academy of General Dentistry). You may take radiographs for a year after obtaining employment w/o RDA permit, but absolutely no longer. And with separate permits, one will allow you to monitor conscious sedation (namely, lower the amount or turn it off), and the other will allow you to apply pit and fissure sealants or something like that---after 2 years of experience as a DA, with the permit, and only under the supervision of a Medicaid dentist or if the dentist practices in an area declared as underserved by the federal or TX government (pit and fissures sealant permit only, not conscious sedation or RDA). Not knowing where you live, this may or may not help you.

I've started the TAGD course---hope to do the conscious sedation one later at San Antonio College or UTHSCSA School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Dental Hygiene.

Wow those rules seem pretty strict. I volunteer at an IHS clinic and the assistants are allowed to do a lot more than this. They can place fillings (dentist just needs to cut the prep), do cleanings, and fit SSC's. There's even a class coming up in a few weeks with a periodontist to teach the assistants how to do root planning.

 

[charlestweed]

Thank you for your replies!!

I researched a little bit and found out that in order to get RDA in CA I have to attend the class for a year👎 or work as an assistant for a year and get a rec letter from the doctor.. is it right? Is there a shorter way to get RDA in CA? And if I get X-ray certification, is it easier to get the job? It's kinda expensive. I'm not sure it's worth it or not. what do you guys think?
I have so many questions.. sorry and THANX!!

Yeah, you are right about the new requirement for getting the RDA license in CA. A couple of years ago, to get the RDA license, you don’t need to go to school; you just need to pass both written and practical exams.

Yes, most dentists want a DA who has the X ray certificate. You should at least take the X ray certification exam.

 

[cel083]

Wow those rules seem pretty strict. I volunteer at an IHS clinic and the assistants are allowed to do a lot more than this. They can place fillings (dentist just needs to cut the prep), do cleanings, and fit SSC's. There's even a class coming up in a few weeks with a periodontist to teach the assistants how to do root planning.

Yeah, what I don't understand is the Medicaid/underserved area requirement.🙁 It seems to me that you should be allowed/not allowed to do procedures simply on whether or not you are qualified to do them. That being said, I know there are some states which permit dental assistants a wide range of procedures (expanded functions), but only after having attended ADA accredited dental assisting school. You seem to be having a lot of fun at that IHS clinic.😉