PDFWAC 246-817-520
Supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants.
(1) A supervising dentist may delegate the supportive services in subsection (4) of this section under the dentist's close supervision, provided the registered dental assistant has demonstrated skills necessary to perform each task competently.
(2) Delegation of supportive services not in subsection (4) of this section may be subject to disciplinary action.
(3) In addition to supportive services in subsection (4) of this section, registered dental assistants may perform nonclinical tasks.
(4) Supportive services allowed under close supervision:
(a) Oral inspection, with no diagnosis.
(b) Take and record blood pressure and vital signs.
(c) Place, expose, and process radiographs.
(d) Take intra-oral and extra-oral photographs.
(e) Perform coronal polish. A licensed dentist shall determine the teeth are free of calculus or other extraneous material prior to dismissing the patient.
(f) Give fluoride treatments.
(g) Give patient education in oral hygiene.
(h) Give preoperative and postoperative instructions.
(i) Deliver an oral sedative drug to patient.
(j) Assist in the administration of inhalation minimal sedation (nitrous oxide) analgesia, including starting and stopping the flow as directed by the supervising dentist.
(k) Place topical anesthetics.
(l) Place and remove the rubber dam.
(m) Apply tooth separators as for placement for Class III gold foil.
(n) Apply sealants.
(o) Place a matrix and wedge for a direct restorative material after the dentist has prepared the cavity.
(p) Place cavity liners and bases.
(q) Perform acid etch and apply bonding agents.
(r) Polish restorations but may not intra-orally adjust or finish permanent restorations.
(s) Sterilize equipment and disinfect operatories.
(t) Place retraction cord.
(u) Hold in place and remove impression materials after the dentist has placed them.
(v) Take impressions, bite registrations, or digital scans of the teeth and jaws for:
(i) Diagnostic and opposing models;
(ii) Fixed and removable orthodontic appliances, occlusal guards, bleaching trays, and fluoride trays; and
(iii) Temporary indirect restorations such as temporary crowns.
(w) Take digital scans of prepared teeth for fabrication of permanent indirect restorations.
(x) Take a facebow transfer for mounting study casts.
(y) Fabricate and deliver bleaching and fluoride trays.
(z) Fabricate, cement, and remove temporary crowns or temporary bridges.
(aa) Remove the excess cement after the dentist has placed a permanent or temporary inlay, crown, bridge or appliance, or around orthodontic bands.
(bb) Place a temporary filling (as zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE)) after diagnosis and examination by the dentist.
(cc) Pack and medicate extraction areas.
(dd) Place periodontal packs.
(ee) Remove periodontal packs or sutures.
(ff) Select denture shade and mold.
(gg) Place and remove orthodontic separators.
(hh) Select and fit orthodontic bands, try in fixed or removable orthodontic appliances prior to the dentist cementing or checking the appliance.
(ii) Prepare teeth for the bonding of orthodontic appliances.
(jj) Bond attachments for clear removable orthodontic aligners.
(kk) Remove and replace archwires and orthodontic wires.
(ll) Fit and adjust headgear.
(mm) Remove fixed orthodontic appliances, orthodontic cement, and orthodontic bonded resin material.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.260.040, 18.260.070, and 2015 c 120. WSR 17-05-056, § 246-817-520, filed 2/10/17, effective 3/13/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.260.120 and 18.32.0365. WSR 08-14-010, § 246-817-520, filed 6/19/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.035. WSR 95-21-041, § 246-817-520, filed 10/10/95, effective 11/10/95.]