What is a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions 2 (RDAEF2)?

If you’ve been a patient at our dental office in San Luis Obispo for a while, chances are you’ve come across one of our Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Function 2’s, Tiz or Sabrina. You may have not caught the distinction between these very skilled ladies and our other bright Registered Dental Assistants, but there indeed is one! Today we’re here to spell out what these skilled assistants can do, and what differentiates them from our other Dental Assistants you’ve seen working alongside your dentist!

What is an RDAEF2?

For any of those in the healthcare field, understanding the role of an RDAEF2 is made easier by comparing the roles of a Registered Nurse to a Physician’s Assistant. Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Function, Expanded Duties Level 2 is simply a Registered Dental Assistant who has undergone more extensive training above and beyond their RDA role, and thus is certified to complete more extensive tasks. In addition to this more advanced training, RDAEF2’s have also accumulated years (7 on average) of experience as an RDA in a dental setting prior to setting out to become an RDAEF2 – expanding their skill level and dental knowledge.

What Training Do RDAEF2s Require?

The training required to become a licensed RDAEF2 is an extensive 380 hour plus course course that is completed after becoming a registered RDA. This course is a major financial investment in an RDA’s education and career and once completed, all RDAEF2 graduates are required to pass written examination by the California Dental Board.

So, what can these RDAEF2s do that a Registered Dental Assistant cannot?

• Conduct preliminary evaluation of the patient’s oral health, including, but not limited to: charting; intraoral and extraoral evaluation of soft tissue; classifying occlusion; and myofunctional evaluation 
• Perform final sealing of root canals 
• Create scans or impressions for crowns 
• Design same day crowns using the office’s CEREC Primescan machine 
• Oversee impressions, try-ins, and delivery of final dentures or partials 
• Provide composite filling 
• Cement final crowns and bridges 
• Adjust bite as needed 

The SLO Smiles Difference

SLO Smiles is a unique dental practice in San Luis Obispo that has not one, but two RDAEF2’s on our team. We consider ourselves very lucky to employ these hard to find, highly skilled assistants that offer our patients the highest level of care possible. We always strive to foster a love of continual learning among our staff so that you, our patients, can expect the least invasive, most technologically advanced dental care, with your utmost comfort always in mind. Ready to experience the SLO Smiles difference? We’d love to hear from you! Call us at (805) 541-0550 to schedule or request an appointment online today!