Pathway to RDA

Dental Assisting (DA) is an entry-level position that is a stepping stone to a variety of career options such as an orthodontic assistant, dental sedation assistant, registered dental assistant, registered dental assistant in extended functions, dental hygienist, and dentist.

A dental assistant’s primary focus is oral healthcare for patients, which has proven to be extremely rewarding with a lot of growth potential. Upon completion of this course, dental assistants may perform chairside assisting, application of limited medications, instrument care, and more. The Dental Board of California’s table of allowable duties can be viewed below. Additional learned skills include but are not limited to, teamwork, communication, work ethic, and professionalism.

Students will obtain Dental Board of California-approved certificates in Infection Control, California Dental Practice Act, and Radiation Safety during the first few months of the program. While working and learning dental skills the dental assistant will gradually move from an entry-level assistant to a mid-level assistant with more chairside skills easier and more competent in the dental office. At the one-year mark, the assistant will be more proficient and ready to obtain more certificates for the upcoming process of taking their RDA exam. The certificates will be coronal polish and pit and fissure course certificates. This is when the assistant should be getting their application process ready to take their RDA exam as long as if they have worked the time, hours and completed all certifications. 

  TABLE OF ALLOWABLE DUTIES