NCDAA Logo •  Home •  Volunteer Opportunities •  Societies
•  Mirrors •  Publications •  Email Us
•  Schools •  Scholarships •  Links
•  Mission •  NCBDE DA Rules •  Member Login

North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners

Dental Assisting

Classifications of Dental Assistants In North Carolina 

Delegable Functions / Radiography Requirement

Dental Assistant I and Dental Assistant II

In North Carolina, there are two classifications fro dental Assistants (DAI and DAII.) North Carolina does NOT certify assistants. Classification is based on experience and/or training as listed below. It is up to the employer to verify an assistant’s qualifications and determine if he/she is a DAI or DAII.

To be classified as a Dental Assistant II, an assistant must meet one (1) of the following criteria:

1)      successful completion of:

a.       an ADA-accredited dental assisting program and current certification in CPR; or

b.      one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program, and current certification in CPR

2)      successful completion of:

a.       full-time employment and experience as a chairside assistant for two years (3,000 hours) of the preceding five, during which period the assistant may be trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist;

b.      a 3-hour course in sterilization and infection control;

c.       a 3-hour course in dental office emergencies;

d.      radiology training consistent with G.S. 90-29(s)(12); and

e.       current certification in CPR; or

3)      successful completion of the certification examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, and current certification in CPR

Radiography Requirement

A certified dental assistant [(one who successfully completes the DANB exam (see (3) above)] or an assistant who completes an ADA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program may take radiographs without further examination. All others, including those who move to North Carolina from out-of-state, must successfully pass and equivalency exam. This exam may be challenged after completing “seven hours of instruction in the production and use of dental x-rays and an education program of not less than seven hours in clinical dental radiography.” You must be able to prove that you have the minimal amount of training to be eligible to take the radiology equivalency exam, or you may take a course prior to taking the exam. Any Board approved radiography course is acceptable and any approved course’s final examination is recognized as the equivalency exam.

 

Delegable Functions

DELEGABLE FUNCTIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA AS OF AUGUST 1, 20  

*subject to change*

FUNCTION

DAI

DAII

RDH

Take impressions for Study Models & Opposing Casts

 

X

X

Apply Sealants after DDS has Examined Patient & Prescribed Procedure

 

X

X

Insert Matrix Bands and Wedges

 

X

X

Place Cavity Bases and Liners

 

X

X

Place and/or remove Rubber Dams

 

X

X

Cement Temp. Restorations using Temp. Cement

 

X

X

Acid Etch Materials/Rinses

 

X

X

Apply Bonding Agents

 

X

X

Remove Periodontal Dressings

 

X

X

Remove Sutures

 

X

X

Place Gingival Retraction Cord

 

X

X

Remove Excess Cement

 

X

X

Flush, Dry & Temporarily Close Root Canals

 

X

X

Place & Remove Temp. Restorations

 

X

X

Insert Interdental Spacers

 

X

X

Fit (size) Orthodontic Bands or Brackets

 

X

X

Apply Dentin Desensitizing Solutions

 

X

X

Perform Periodontal Screening

 

 

X

Perform Periodontal Probing

 

 

X

Perform Subgingival Exploration for or Removal of Hard or Soft Deposits

 

 

X

Perform Sulcular Irrigation

 

 

X

Apply Sulcular Antimicrobial or Antibiotic Agents which are Resorbable

 

 

X

Perform Extra-Oral Adjustments of any Temp. Restoration or Appliance

X3

X

X

Initially Form & Size Orthodontic Arch Wires & Place Arch Wires after Final Adjustment & Approval by DDS

 

X

X

Apply Topical Anesthetics/DentiPatch®

X

X

X

Apply Topical Fluoride

X

X

X

Expose Radiographs

X1

X1

X

Write Laboratory Work Orders

X2

X2

X

Write Prescriptions (Drugs)

X2

X2

X

Remove Sututres

 

X

X

Polish Dentures

X3

X3

X

Take wax bites

 

X

X

Monitors Pt.’s under Nitrous Oxide

X4

X4

X

Oral Hygiene Instruction

X

X

X

Polish Coronal Portion of Tooth –X6

 

X5

X

Place Amalgam in Prep w/Carrier

X

X

X

Take Pulse, Blood Pressure & Temperature

X

X

X

Place Ligature Wire or Lock Pins

 

X

X

Insert Spacer Wires or Springs

 

X

X

 

 

 

 

1 – After satisfactory completion of ONE of the following: (1) the North Carolina radiography equivalency examination, (2) dental assisting school (an ADA-accredited program), (3) the Dental Assisting National Board examination (1-800-367-3262), or (4) classification as a DAII in North Carolina

2 – Exact words must be dictated by the dentist

3 – Extra-orally, upon instruction by the dentist and re-insertion by the dentist

4 – After completing a 7-hour Board-approved course in nitrous oxide-oxygen conscious sedation, unless included in ADA-accredited program (DAII)

5- After completing a 7-hour (3 hours didactic, 4 hours clinical) course in coronal polishing

6 – Use of a hand-held brush & appropriate polishing agents OR a combination of a slow-speed handpiece (not to exceed 10,000 rpm) with an attached rubber cup or bristle brush and appropriate polishing agents