Ohio Dental Assistant Requirements

Conditions for Performing Functions When Dentist Is Not Present

A Certified Assistant or an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) may perform specified functions when the supervising dentist is not physically present, for not more than 15 consecutive business days, under the following conditions:

1. The Certified Assistant or EFDA has at least 1 year/1,500 hours experience as a dental assistant or EFDA
2. The Certified Assistant or EFDA successfully completes a board-approved course in identification and prevention of potential medical emergencies
3. The supervising dentist has evaluated the skills of the Certified Assistant or EFDA, and made a determination that the Certified Assistant or EFDA is competent to treat patients without the dentist being physically present
4. The supervising dentist has established written protocols or written standing orders for the Certified Assistant or EFDA to follow during and in the absence of an emergency
5. The supervising dentist completed and evaluated a medical and dental history of the patient not more than one year prior to the date that the Certified Assistant or EFDA provides services to the patient, and the supervising dentist determines that the patient is in a medically stable condition
6. The patient is notified, in advance of the appointment for services, that the supervising dentist will be absent from the location and that the Certified Assistant or EFDA cannot diagnose the patient's dental health care status
7. The Certified Assistant or EFDA is employed by, or under contract with, the supervising dentist, a government entity that employs the dental assistant to provide services in a public school or in connection with other programs the government entity administers, or a dentist licensed under this chapter who is one of the following:

(i) The employer of the supervising dentist

(ii) A shareholder in a professional association formed under Chapter 1785. of the Revised Code of which the supervising dentist is a shareholder

(iii) A member or manager of a limited liability company formed under Chapter 1705. of the Revised Code of which the supervising dentist is a member or manager

(iv) A shareholder in a corporation formed under division (B) of section 1701.03 of the Revised Code of which the supervising dentist is a shareholder

(v) A partner or employee of a partnership or a limited liability partnership formed under Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code of which the supervising dentist is a partner or employee

A Certified Assistant or an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA), may perform application of pit and fissure sealants prior to the dentist examining the patient and rendering a diagnosis under the following conditions:

8. All of the conditions listed above, with the exception of item 5

9. The Certified Assistant or EFDA is providing the service as part of a program operated through any of the following: a school district board of education or the governing board of an educational service center; the board of health of a city or general health district or the authority having the duties of a board of health; a national, state, district, or local dental association; or any other public or private entity recognized by the state dental board

10. The supervising dentist for the program is employed by or a volunteer for, and the patients are referred by, the entity through which the program is operated and is available for consultation by telephone, videoconferencing, or other means of electronic communication 

11. The application of sealants is limited to erupted permanent posterior teeth without suspicion of dentinal cavitation

12. For minor patients, a parent or other person responsible for the patient is notified that a dentist will not be present and that the dental assistant is not trained to diagnose or treat other serious dental concerns that could exist