Bus. & Prof. Code, § 1750.1

(a) A dental assistant may perform the following duties under the general supervision and pursuant to the order, control, and full professional responsibility of a licensed dentist:

(1) Extraoral duties specified by the supervising licensee that meet the definition of a basic supportive dental procedure specified in subdivision (b) of Section 1741. These duties may include a procedure that requires the use of personal protective equipment, laboratory functions, and sterilization and disinfection procedures described in Section 1005 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations and Section 5193 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.

(2) Operate dental radiography equipment for the purpose of oral radiography if the dental assistant has complied with the requirements of paragraph (4) of subdivision (f) of Section 1750.

(3) Perform intraoral and extraoral photography.

(b) A dental assistant may perform the following duties under the direct supervision and pursuant to the order, control, and full professional responsibility of a licensed dentist:

(1) Apply nonaerosol and noncaustic topical agents, including all forms of topical fluoride.

(2) Take intraoral impressions for all nonprosthodontic appliances.

(3) Take facebow transfers and bite registrations.

(4) Place and remove rubber dams or other isolation devices.

(5) Place, wedge, and remove matrices for restorative procedures.

(6) Remove postextraction dressings after inspection of the surgical site by the supervising licensed dentist.

(7) Perform measurements for the purposes of orthodontic treatment.

(8) Cure dental materials with a light curing device.

(9) Examine orthodontic appliances.

(10) Place and remove orthodontic separators.

(11) Remove ligature ties and archwires.

(12) After adjustment by the dentist, examine and seat removable orthodontic appliances and deliver care instructions to the patient.

(13) Remove periodontal dressings.

(14) Remove sutures after inspection of the site by the dentist.

(15) Place patient monitoring sensors.

(16) Adjust the flow of nitrous oxide and oxygen gases if deemed necessary and directed by the supervising dentist who shall be present in the operatory directly supervising the adjustment.

(17) Extraoral functions specified by the supervising dentist that meet the definition of basic supportive dental procedures specified in subdivision (b) of Section 1741. Such duties may include patient monitoring, placing monitoring sensors, taking of vital signs, or other extraoral procedures related to the scope of their practice.

(18) In response to a medical emergency and under the direct supervision, order, control, and full professional responsibility of the licensed dentist, a dental assistant may administer or assist in the administration of oxygen.

(c) The board may specify additional allowable duties by regulation.

(d) The duties of a dental assistant or a dental assistant holding a permit in orthodontic assisting or in dental sedation shall not include any of the following procedures unless specifically allowed by law:

(1) Diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning.

(2) Placing, finishing, or removing permanent restorations.

(3) Surgery or cutting on hard and soft tissue including, but not limited to, the removal of teeth and the cutting and suturing of soft tissue.

(4) Prescribing medication.

(5) Starting the flow of nitrous oxide and oxygen gases.

(6) Administration of local or general anesthesia or sedation.

(e) Unless otherwise permitted in this section, the duties of a dental assistant do not include any duty or procedure that only a registered dental assistant, registered dental assistant in extended functions, orthodontic assistant, dental sedation assistant, registered dental hygienist, or registered dental hygienist in alternative practice is allowed to perform.

(f) The placement of pit and fissure sealants may only be performed by a registered dental assistant, registered dental assistant in extended functions, registered dental hygienist, or registered dental hygienist in alternative practice.