Speak Out Against Expanding Anesthesia to Dental Assistants by December 18!
A California pilot program proposing to allow expanded function dental assistants to administer local anesthesia threatens to blur critical lines in education, training, and patient safety. Dental hygienists must make their voices heard about this important issue.
A new Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) pilot project would permit registered dental assistants with expanded function (RDAEF) to administer local anesthesia after post-licensure training in California. While supporters frame the move as an efficiency measure, local anesthesia is not a technical task, but rather demands in-depth education in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and emergency management.
Join the California Dental Hygienists’ Association in making your voice heard on the HCAI Pilot Project RDAEF Administration of Local Anesthesia by emailing Chris Perry, HACI staff member at chris.perry@hcai.ca.gov or HACI Director Elizabeth Landsberg at elizabeth.landsberg@hcai.ca.gov. The deadline is December 18.
