Expanded Duties

Like many dentists, you may be looking for ways to increase your practice’s efficiency, production and revenue. Achieving those goals may be within reach when you enroll your assistants in the GDA Expanded Duties courses.

According to an ADA survey, dentists who employ assistants with Expanded Duties in their practices report being able to use their time more efficiently and see more patients per day. A dental assistant can perform a variety of routine duties in the dental office and the Expanded Duties program is designed to ensure dental assistants abide by the requirements set by the Georgia Board of Dentistry.

To be eligible to attend the GDA Expanded Duties Program the dental assistant must meet one of the following criteria:

1)   Possess current certification that the candidate is a Certified Dental Assistant.
2)   Be a graduate of a one (1) year accredited dental assisting program or a dental assisting program approved by the Board.
3)   Have been employed as a chair side assistant by a licensed dentist for a continuous six (6) month period within the previous three (3) years.

In Addition, the candidate must have a high school diploma, or the equivalent thereof and proof of current CPR certification. Courses are offered on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis. Registration closes when a course reaches capacity OR one month (30 days prior) to course date – whichever comes first. (This is to allow the assistant to become familiar with the course study guides and gather all required clinical materials.)

If you have questions regarding expanded duties, please contact Scott Piper 404-636-7553 or scottp@gadental.org.

Changes Due to Coronavirus Pandemic

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic we have had to make adjustments to our Expanded Duties courses. We will now be separating the courses into two sections - classroom learning and clinical applications.

Classroom Learning via Webinar
The classroom learning for each session is now be available online via recorded webinar. After viewing the webinars we will send you a link to the exam for each course completed. After passing the exam for each course, the registrant will then be eligible to register for an appointment to meet with an instructor to take the clinical applications for each course.

Clinical Applications
All registrants must meet with a GDA-approved clinical instructor in-person (not available virtually) and pass the clinical applications in order to receive a certificate of completion. Clinical courses will be available by appointment only so that we may maintain social distancing throughout the appointment. After passing the classroom learning each registrant will be given the name and phone number of the person scheduling clinical application appointments. As in the past, we will hold courses in Columbus and Athens, but most clinical courses will be held in the Atlanta area, and some travel may be required for course completion. Should we have enough registrants from a specific practice or area we may be able to schedule a course at your location. Please contact Scott Piper at 404-636-7553 for more information.

Steps to Earning Expanded Duties Certification
1. Register online for Expanded Duties virtual learning webinar. Once you have registered you will receive an email with links to the webinars purchased.
2. View webinar (only registrants that have completed each webinar in its entirety will be eligible to take the exam)
3. Quiz - After completing the webinar, contact Sheila Watson at 404-636-7553 x131 or sheila@gadental.org for the quiz for each section.
4. Schedule an appointment to meet in-person with a GDA-approved Expanded Duties instructor.

Only dental assistants that have passed each step will be eligible for a certificate for expanded duties. Each certificate will allow a dental assistant to perform only those duties listed on each certificate.

Webinars
Course 4
Register

Course 5
Register

Course 6
Register

Expanded Duties - Course 4

COURSE 4: Armamenteria

A) Alginate Impressions for Denture Repair
B) Face Bow Registration
C) Tissue Management During Impression Making
D) Temporary Bridge
E) Fabrication of Bruxism Appliances

An assistant must also pass a written test on the subjects listed above.

COURSE 4 ARMAMENTERIA
To successfully complete the clinical portion of this course, each participant will complete the following procedure:

1) Temporary bridge—each participant will successfully fabricate a three-unit temporary bridge as per “Temporary Bridge”—Criteria” (found at the beginning of that section in the study guide).

For the required clinical tasks the GDA Expanded Duties program will provide the following:

1) Temporary bridge fabrication—The GDA will provide pre-op model and putty for fabrication of a matrix. The GDA will also provide a prepared model on which a temporary bridge may be fabricated.

For the required clinical task YOU will provide:

1) Each participant will bring three (3) temporaries that s/he has fabricated prior to the course, as well as the models on which the temporaries were made. At least one of the temporaries will be a three-unit bridge or larger.

2) General needs—you will provide any disposables that you need (patient napkins, cotton rolls, gauze, etc.) as well as napkin chains and any instruments you require to complete the tasks.

3) Temporary bridge fabrication—you will provide the temporary material (acrylic, BIS-GMA, etc.) of your choice. You will provide burs, stones, separating disks, etc. required to fabricate a three-unit bridge as well as a lab engine (preferred) or air-driven hand piece. You will provide articulation ribbon to verify occlusion. If you bring a hand piece that you use in the operatory, be sure that you bring the motor as well.

4) If you plan to use Bisacryl (BIS-GMA) material such as Integrity, Luxatamp, Protemp, or any of the myriad other choices of self-mixed (caulking gun style) temporary material, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PRACTICED ON A PLASTIC MODEL. It doesn’t work on plastic like it does on the mouth! Regular acrylic works much better on the plastic dentoforms. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

5) Any other materials, supplies, or instruments that you require for the successful completion of the tasks as set forth above. If you use different materials in your office, feel free to bring what you are accustomed to using. You are not required to use the supplies provided by GDA.
Expanded Duties - Course 5

COURSE 5: Armamenteria

A) Periodontal Dressing
B) In-Office Bleaching
C) Dentin Bonding
D) Desensitization
E) Liners and Bases

There is no clinical or “hands on” portion of this class at this time. An assistant must pass a written test on the subjects listed.

COURSE 5 ARMAMENTERIA

To successfully complete this course and receive the certificate that allows you to legally perform these expanded functions in Georgia, you must pass the written test. There is no clinical or “hands-on” portion at this time. To pass the written test, you need to have reviewed all of the written material and discussed it with your doctor before attending the course. S/ He signed an affidavit when registering you for your course(s) stating that s/he would help you in preparation for this course. Failure of this test will result in the applicant having to repeat the entire course at a later date with an additional fee.
Expanded Duties - Course 6

COURSE 6*: Armamenteria

A) Monitor Nitrous Oxide
B) Fluoride Application
C) Sealants
D) Dry Socket Redressing

To successfully complete the clinical portion of this course, each assistant must successfully perform and receive a fluoride treatment with another person in the class, and place sealants on a minimum of three posterior teeth. An assistant must also pass a written test on the subjects listed above.

COURSE 6 ARMAMENTERIA

To successfully complete the clinical portion of this course, each participant will complete the following procedures:

1) Perform and receive a fluoride treatment with a partner from the class. A tray fluoride treatment is four (4) minutes in length. Fluoride varnish is also acceptable.

2) Place sealants on a minimum of three posterior teeth.

For the required clinical tasks the GDA Expanded Duties program will provide the following:

1) Fluoride treatment—The GDA will provide topical fluoride and disposable trays.

2) Sealant placement— this is so individualized that you will provide everything that you will need for this task.

For the required clinical tasks you will provide:

1) General needs—you will provide any disposables that you need (patient napkins, cotton rolls, gauze, etc) as well as napkin chains and any instruments you require to complete the tasks.

2) Fluoride treatment—any special trays or fluoride that you might require.

3) Sealant placement—A minimum of three (3) unprepared posterior (grooved) teeth that are mounted in stone for ease in handling and placing of the sealants. Bring a sealant kit of your choice.

4) Any other materials, supplies, or instruments that you require for the successful completion of the tasks as set forth above. You are not required to use any of our supplies; you may wish to use the materials from your office since you will be more familiar with them.

Assistants may begin the process of enrolling in Expanded Duties training by printing the registration packet. Note: You cannot download any study guides or related course information until you register for courses.

Expanded Duties Board Rule
Georgia Board of Dentistry Rule 150-9-.02. Expanded Duties of Dental Assistants describes what an Expanded Duties assistant may do in Georgia, and how an assistant can qualify for Expanded Duties training. This rule is printed here as a courtesy. Visit the Georgia Board of Dentistry web site for pertinent rules regarding the performance of dental assistants in Georgia.

150-9-.02. Expanded Duties of Dental Assistants
1. To meet the requirements of an expanded duty dental assistant, a dental assistant must have a high school diploma, or the equivalent thereof, proof of current CPR certification and a certificate documenting that he or she has successfully completed the course pertaining to the specific duties outlined in that certificate. Only those expanded duties, which are listed on the certificate(s), may be performed by an expanded duty dental assistant. An expanded duty dental assistant certificate may be issued by an accredited dental assisting program, a dental hygiene school, a dental school or a professional association recognized and approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry to a candidate who has successfully completed the required certificate courses (each of which must be a minimum of four hours) from an accredited dental assisting program, a dental hygiene school, a dental school or professional association recognized and approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry and met all other requirements of an expanded duty assistant; and completed an examination demonstrating competency in specific duties that is administered by a licensed dentist on behalf of the accredited dental assistant program, dental hygiene school, dental school or professional association recognized and approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry.
2. Eligibility for taking said courses requires that the candidate meet at least one of the following criteria:
  1. Possess current certification that the candidate is a Certified Dental Assistant.
  2. Be a graduate of a one (1) year accredited dental assisting program or a dental assisting program approved by the Board or be eligible for graduation.
  3. Have been employed as a chair side assistant by a licensed dentist for a continuous six (6) month period within the previous three (3) years. (Note: An expanded duties certificate would be issued to a candidate only upon proper proof of graduation.)
3. The employer of the expanded duty assistant shall have readily available in the dental office a copy of the certificate(s) issued from the sponsor of the accredited course(s) of study to the expanded duty dental assistant. The expanded duties specific to the course(s) taken and in which [a] certificate(s) [has / have] been issued may be delegated to dental assistants, who are performing their duties under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. The following expanded duties may be delegated to those assistants meeting the educational requirements established by Board Rule 150-9-.02(1) and possessing a certificate(s) of the course(s) taken delineating the duties specific to that course.
  1. Apply desensitizing agents to root surfaces of teeth and prepared dentinal surfaces of teeth prior to cementation of temporary restorations and crowns, bridges, or inlays.
  2. Place cavity liner, base or varnish over unexposed pulp.
  3. Intraoral fabrication of temporary crowns and bridges. All such adjustments must be performed extraorally.
  4. Perform face bow transfer.
  5. Make impressions to be used to repair a damaged prosthesis.
  6. Place periodontal dressing.
  7. Redressing (not initial placement of dressing) and removing dressing from alveolar sockets in post-operative osteitis when the patient is uncomfortable due to the loss of dressing from the alveolar socket in a diagnosed case of post-operative osteitis.
  8. Make impressions with irreversible hydrocolloid to be used to fabricate a night guard (bruxism or muscle relaxation appliance). All adjustments must be performed extraorally. Final adjustment must be made by the dentist.
  9. Monitor the administration of nitrous oxide/oxygen; turn off nitrous oxide/oxygen at the completion of the dental procedure and make adjustments to the level of nitrous oxide/oxygen, but only following the specific instructions of the dentist.
  10. Apply topical anticariogenic agents.
  11. Apply pit and fissure sealants, and primer and bonding agents to etched enamel or dentin; and light-cure with a fiber-optic light source (not to include the use of a laser device).
  12. Packing and removing retraction cord, as prescribed by the dentist, so long as said cord is used solely for restorative dental procedures.
  13. Changing of bleaching agent, following initial applications by the dentist, during the bleaching process of vital and non-vital teeth after the placement of a rubber dam; and applying the fiber-optic light source of a curing light for activation of the bleach (not to include the use of a laser device).
  14. Rebond brackets after a licensed dentist has examined the affected tooth and surrounding gingiva and found no evidence of pathology.
  15. Remove bonded brackets with hand instruments only.
  16. Make impressions for passive orthodontic appliances.
  17. Apply primer and bonding agents to etched enamel or dentin; and light cure with fiber-optic light source (not to include use of a laser device).
Expanded Duties Cancellation Policy

GDA EXPANDED DUTIES CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY:

Due to a large number of no shows and last minute cancellations, the GDA Board of Trustees passed the following rule regarding expanded duties cancellations and refunds:

Registration fees may be transferred to another course date one time only if notification is received at least 30 days prior to the scheduled course date. Cancellations or transfers after that time will not be permitted, with the exception of extreme extenuating circumstances. There are no refunds.

Requests for transfer or cancellation must be received in writing. Requests for cancellation between 30 and 15 days prior to the course, will be issued a CREDIT for the cost of the course. The credit is issued to the payer of the course (usually the dentist, but may be the assistant in some cases); the credit is valid for one (1) year from the date of the course for which they were registered. It is the responsibility of the creditor to keep track of when the credit expires AND to notify the GDA when the credit is being redeemed.

Credit may be used for the same assistant at a different course date and location or for another assistant.

Fees
Courses	4	5	6	All 3	4,5	4,6	5,6
Member	$250	$160	$175	$425	$325	$325	$250
Nonmember	$380	$200	$225	$695	$550	$550	$395
Printed Manuals	$10	$10	$10	$25	$20	$20	$20

For more information on Expanded Duties classes, contact us.

Expanded Duties

To be eligible to attend the GDA Expanded Duties Program the dental assistant must meet one of the following criteria:

Changes Due to Coronavirus Pandemic

COURSE 4: Armamenteria

COURSE 5: Armamenteria

COURSE 6*: Armamenteria

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