Can DAs Perform Invisalign Duties in California?

Occasionally, we receive inquiries about whether or not dental auxiliaries are allowed to perform a specific dental task, or “duty”, in California. Recently, we were asked if dental assistants (DAs) may perform Invisalign procedures in California. In general, the best way to determine if a dental auxiliary may perform a particular duty is to refer to the two duties tables in your OSHA Review Poster Set:

1. Poster #13A – Dental Board of California (DBC) Dental Assistant Duties Notice
2. Poster #14A – Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC) Dental Hygiene Duties Notice

Since the allowable duties for dental auxiliaries are general and do not specify name brands, when looking up the duty in question, you must look at the general information provided and evaluate whether or not the specific task in question would fall under the general duty.

Regarding Invisalign, which is an orthodontic appliance, and whether or not unlicensed DAs are allowed to perform Invisalign procedures, you need to search the allowable duties that reference orthodontic tasks and then determine if the Invisalign procedures fall under the listed DA duties.

In Poster #13A – DBC Dental Assistant Duties Notice, the allowable orthodontic duties that unlicensed DAs are allowed to perform include:

• Perform measurements for the purposes of orthodontic treatment.
• Cure restorative or orthodontic materials in operative site with a light-curing device.
• Examine orthodontic appliances.
• Place and remove orthodontic separators.
• Remove ligature ties and archwires.
• After adjustment by the dentist, examine and seat removable orthodontic appliances and deliver care instructions to the patient.

Of course, additional supportive duties such as taking a medical history, maintaining patient records, making impressions, and monitoring patient comfort are also allowed.

If the Invisalign procedure in question does not seem to fall into any of the listed DA duties, you may contact DBC staff directly for their interpretation. Additionally, we recommend contacting your rep at Align Technology, the manufacturer of Invisalign, for information on dental staff training and/or certification in Invisalign treatment.