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News on ROA......

"ROA (Registered Orthodontic Assistant) is on hold at this time. Existing regulations will remain in place until at least January 1, 2010. CAO will continue to provide up-to-date information on this issue as updates are received from Dr. Earl Johnson."

CDA Sponsored Bill Retains Dentists' On-the-job Training of Assistants

By: Cathy Mudge, Vice President, Public Plicy - CDA

The California Dental Association this year is sponsoring legislation, Senate Bill 1541 (Ducheny), which will ensure that dentists can continue to provide a work experience pathway for their employees who wish to become licensed in any of three newly created specialty assistant positions. Dentists may have heard from opponents of this bill that CDA is somehow trying to destroy existing registered dental assistant (RDA) educational programs. Nothing could be further from the truth.

SB 1541 clarifies and defines the work experience pathway to licensure as a registered restorative assistant, registered orthodontic assistant and registered surgical assistant – licensure categories created in 2004 and to be implemented January 1, 2008. For almost 30 years, dentists have been training dental assistants to qualify for licensure as RDAs. Since 2000, 44 percent of all participants in the RDA exam have been trained through work experience. CDA is sponsoring this legislation to ensure that people who wish to enter the dental profession continue to have an option to formal dental assisting educational programs, which will allow them to earn and learn at the same time. Also, in some areas of the state, formal programs may not be available and may not offer flexible hours to accommodate a full-time employee.

SB 1541 does nothing more than retain the work experience training options for dental assistants that exist today. Formal RDA programs provide an important and valuable pathway for many dental assistants – but it’s not the only way.

If you have any questions about this or any other legislative or regulatory issue, please contact the CDA Public Policy division at 800-736-7071, extension 4984.

Delta Likes New Reimbursement Scheme

Delta Dental of California believes that the new methodology by which Delta determines allowances or reimbursement levels at the 80th percentile for orthodontic treatment or procedures is working beautifully. More >

Prop 65 Posting Requirements Eased

After three years of efforts, the CAO received written confirmation from the Attorney General that orthodontists are cleared from Proposition 65 sign posting requirements regarding nickel and chromium.

However, CDA has cautioned us that there may be other listed materials and chemicals found in orthodontic offices. More >

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