California Dental Educators

Course Information

Additional Information

Pit and Fissure Sealants

Starting July 1, 2025, all applicants for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam must meet updated course requirements. A Board-approved Pit and Fissure Sealant course certificate is now mandatory and must be completed prior to applying for the RDA exam.

This course includes 16-hours of course material

4 Hours Didactic – Home study lecture materials, sent after prerequisites are received
4 Hours Lab/Pre-Clinical – Hands-on instruction on typodonts at our Rocklin facility
8 Hours Clinical Procedure – Performed on three of your own patients at our Rocklin facility

California Dental Educators is a Dental-board approved course in Pit and Fissure Sealant (PF155)

8-Hour Infection Control

All dental assistants, sterilization technicians, and any dental office personnel performing basic supportive procedures that involve exposure to blood, saliva, or other potentially infectious

materials must complete an 8-hour Infection Control course through a Board-approved provider.

This is not the same as the 2-hour Infection Control CE required every two years for license holders. Dental assistants are specifically required to take the 8-hour course to remain in compliance.

California Dental Educators is a Dental-board approved course in 8-Hour Infection Control (IC154)

Radiation Safety (X-Ray)

California Dental Educators is proud to offer a Dental Board of California-approved Dental Radiation Safety Course (X087) (Dental X-Rays). This course fulfills all the requirements for obtaining your Dental Radiation Safety Certificate and is ideal for dental assistants, sterilization technicians, and front office staff who want to expand their clinical skills.

This course includes 32-hours of course material

8 Hours Didactic – Home study lecture materials, sent after prerequisites are received
12 Hours Lab/Pre-Clinical – Hands-on instruction on typodonts at our Rocklin facility
12 Hours Clinical Procedure – Performed on three of your own patients at our Rocklin facility

California Dental Educators is a Dental-board approved course in Radiation Safety (X-Ray) (X087)

Coronal Polish

Dental assistants are now permitted by the Dental Board of California to perform coronal polishing, only after completing a Board-approved Coronal Polishing Course. Make sure you or your team is properly trained and compliant before performing this expanded duty. If enrolling in this course California Dental Educators requires that dental assistants must have prior chairside assisting experience to be eligible.

California Dental Educators is proud to offer the Dental Board of California-approved Coronal Polishing Course (CP123). This course fulfills all the requirements for obtaining your Coronal Polishin Certificate and is ideal for dental assistants, sterilization technicians, and front office staff who want to expand their clinical skills.

This course includes 12-hours of course material

4 Hours Didactic – Home study lecture materials, sent after prerequisites are received
4 Hours Lab/Pre-Clinical – Hands-on instruction on typodonts at our Rocklin facility
4 Hours Clinical Procedure – Performed on three of your own patients at our Rocklin facility

California Dental Educators is a Dental-board approved course in Coronal Polish (CP123)

Orthodontic Assistant Permit

Dental assistants are no longer required to complete six months of on-the-job training or wait one year before applying for the Orthodontic Assistant Permit (OA) examination. They may now enroll directly in a Board-approved Orthodontic Assistant Permit course. Additionally, an Ultrasonic Scaling Permit is required to apply for the OAP exam.

California Dental Educators includes the Ultrasonic Scaling as part of our OA course.

California Dental Educators is proud to offer a Dental Board of California-approved Orthodontic Assistant Permit Course (OA144). This course fulfills all the requirements for obtaining your Orthodontic Assistant Permit (OAP) and is ideal for dental assistants, sterilization technicians, and front office staff who want to expand their clinical skills.

Our OAP course includes 84 hours of course material

24 hours of didactic (lecture) instruction – completed conveniently from home
28 hours of lab and preclinical training – held at our Rocklin facility
32 hours of clinical practice – completed in your orthodontic office

California Dental Educators is a Dental-board approved course in Orthodontic Assistant Permit (OA144)

Dental Practice Act (DPA) and Basic Life Support (BLS)

It is the dentist’s responsibility to ensure that all dental assistants obtain both the California Dental Practice Act (DPA) certification and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within one year of their date of employment. Staying compliant helps protect your practice and ensures patient safety.

California Dental Educators is a Dental-board Mandatory Provider approved courses for the

2-Unit California Dental Practice Act and 2-Unit Infection Control (RP5888)

Certificate Display Requirement for Dental Assistants

Dental assistants who hold certifications in Radiation Safety, Coronal Polishing, and/or as an Orthodontic Assistant are required to display these certificates in the dental office where they perform the corresponding procedures. This is a Dental Board requirement and ensures transparency and compliance within the practice.

Certification Expiration Timelines for Dental Assistants

Make sure all required certifications are current and valid. Below are the expiration periods for each:

California Dental Practice Act (DPA): Expires every 2 years
8-Hour Infection Control: Expires every 2 years
Coronal Polishing: Expires every 5 years
Pit and Fissure Sealants: Expires every 5 years
Radiation Safety: Expires every 10 years

Tip: Keep track of expiration dates to ensure compliance and avoid delays in licensure or scope of practice.

Stay Compliant with California’s New Dental Regulations

California Dental Educators is a Board-approved provider for all courses we offer. Our provider numbers are listed at the end of each course description and can be verified on the Dental Board’s website: https://www.dbc.ca.gov/applicants/rda_courses.shtml

Register Early – Limited Space Available!

Due to increased demand from the new regulations, course availability may be impacted. Seats fill quickly, so we recommend signing up early to secure your spot. View and register for courses using the links below.