California Dental Practice Act

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

  1. Define the practice of dentistry
  2. Distinguish between activities that constitute practice of dentistry, and others that are beyond the scope of dentistry
  3. Describe instances where a dentist is immune from liability for failure to inform a patient of the consequences of a dental procedure
  4. Define general anesthesia. Define conscious sedation
  5. Distinguish between “deep conscious sedation” and “light general anesthesia.”
  6. Describe the registration requirements of Dental Practice Act
  7. Describe acts that may constitute unprofessional conduct by a dentist
  8. Discuss the continuing education requirements for dentists and dental auxiliaries, identify areas considered outside the scope of the continuing education program, and list units required for renewal of license
  9. List office facilities and equipment, records and drugs requirements for dental offices in which general anesthesia and conscious sedation is conducted
  10. List persons who are authorized to write prescriptions
  11. Discuss the regulations governing prescription of controlled substances; also enumerate the recordkeeping requirements
  12. List the duties of dental assistant, registered dental assistant, registered dental assistant in extended functions, registered dental hygienist and registered dental hygienist in extended functions

Course Contents

Dental Practice Act

Dentistry

Practices Exempt from Dental Practice Act

Liability for Emergency Care

Registration

  • Duty to Register
  • Change of Office
  • Change of Name
  • Failure to Register
  • Place of Practice
  • Limitation on Number of Additional Places of Practice
  • Dental Radiographic Equipment

General Anesthesia

  • Definitions
  • License and Permit
  • Application for Permit
  • Facilities and Equipment
  • Recordkeeping
  • Inspection
  • Continuing Education
  • Violations

Conscious Sedation

  • Definitions
  • Permit
  • Application for Permit
  • Continuing Education
  • Patient Evaluation
  • Physical Inspection
  • Violation

Unprofessional Conduct

  • Definition
  • Diversion Program

Continuing Education

  • Courses
  • Registered Provider
  • Course Standard
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Units of Credit
  • License Renewal
  • Inactive Licenses

Advertising

  • Fee Advertising
  • Advertising Discounts
  • Advertising Claims
  • Advertising Dentures
  • Dental Auxiliaries
  • Definitions
  • Functions Not Permitted by DA, RDA, RDAEF, RDH, RDHEF
  • DA Duties
  • RDA Duties
  • RDH Duties

RDHEF Duties

Prescriptions

  • Persons Authorized to Write Prescriptions
  • Controlled Substance Prescriptions
  • Official Blanks
  • Recordkeeping

Case Studies in Dental Practice Act

  • Case No. 1
  • Case No. 2
  • Case No. 3
  • Case No. 4
  • Case No. 5
  • Case No. 6
  • Case No. 7
  • Self-Study Examination