The Role of the Dental Auxiliary:

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The California Dental Practice Act limits what a dental assistant can and cannot do. However, in times of economic necessity, some practicing dentists attempt to stretch their incomes by working on one patient while their assistant works on other patients. What the "assistant" is allowed to do depends upon their licensing, and the degree of supervision by a licensed dentist.

Dental malpractice occurs whenever a dentist violates the applicable standard of care in the community and a patient sustains injury. Dental malpractice also occurs if a dentist allows an assistant to perform work which should, by law, only by undertaken by a licensed dentist. The Pasquali law office has years of experience in representing patients in dental malpractice claims against their dentists.

For example, unless specifically so provided by regulation, a dental assistant may not perform the following functions as these represent the practice of dentistry:
(1) Diagnosis and treatment planning;
(2) Surgical or cutting procedures on hard or soft tissue;
(3) Fitting and adjusting of correctional and prosthodontic appliances;
(4) Prescription of medicines;
(5) Placement, condensation, carving or removal of permanent restorations, including final cementation procedures;
(6) Irrigation and medication of canals, try-in cones, reaming, filing or filling of root canals;
(7) Taking of impressions for prosthodontic appliances, bridges or any other structures which may be worn in the mouth;
(8) Administration of injectable and/or general anesthesia;
(9) Oral prophylaxis procedures.

While Registered Dental Assistants, Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Functions, and Registered Dental Hygienists can perform duties and functions that a dental assistant cannot, each such authorization is also strictly limited by California law.

If you believe that you have been the victim of dental malpractice, call an attorney with hands on experience in dental malpractice litigation