The Committee on Dental Auxiliaries (COMDA) examines and licenses California dental auxiliaries and advises the Dental Board of California on auxiliary issues.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• NEW SPECIALTY PERMITS AND UPCOMING CHANGES FOR DENTAL ASSISTANTS, REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANTS AND REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANTS IN EXTENDED FUNCTIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2010
  AB 2637, was signed by the Governor on September 28, 2008 and will become effective January 1, 2009 although many of its provisions are not operative until January 10, 2010. This bill will have a wide-reaching impact on all unlicensed dental assistants and their employers, as well as applicants for registered dental assistant or registered dental assistant in extended functions licenses. AB 2637 allows new duties in all of these categories, and creates two new permit categories: the Orthodontic Assistant Permit and the Dental Sedation Assistant Permit.
  Dental Assisting Statutes Operative on January 1, 2009

  Frequently Asked Questions:
  Question: I am a licensed RDA. Must I complete certification in the application of pit and fissure sealants to keep my license?
  Answer: No, currently licensed RDAs are not required by the statutory changes to complete certification in the application of pit and fissure sealants UNLESS they wish to place sealants. RDA applicants who are not licensed by December 31, 2009 will be subject to the new statutory requirements that include pit and fissure sealant certification for all RDAs who are issued a license January 1, 2010 and after. Any RDA MUST BE CERTIFIED TO PLACE PIT AND FISSURE SEALANTS BEFORE DOING SO ON PATIENTS.
  Question:I have applied for an RDA license, but have not passed my written (or practical) exam yet. What happens if I'm not licensed before January 1, 2010?
  Answer: If you are not licensed before January 1, you must pass any exam that you have NOT PASSED, including the new RDA Law and Ethics exam, and provide proof of completion of: 1) an approved 2-hour course in the Dental Practice Act, 2) proof of completion of an approved 8-hour course in infection control, 3) a course in basic life support.

• We have revised our web site and are continuing to make improvements. A few pages are still under construction and we're currently in the final stages of completing them. We appreciate your patience during this transition. Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
• SB 853 was signed by the Governor on June 13, 2008. The Committee on Dental Auxiliaries (COMDA) as it has been known, will be abolished. What this means is that, Effective July 1, 2009, Registered Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Functions will be represented by and fall under the jurisdiction of the Dental Board of California. For more information, please visit our Upcoming Law Changes web page.

Attention COMDA Licensees

Effective October 1, 2007 the following fees will go into effect:
Duplicate license - $25.00
Biennial renewal fee - $70.00
Delinquency fee - $35.00

Required Courses for RDAs by May 1, 2006, all RDAs who have not previously done so must submit certification to COMDA of having successfully completed a Board-approved course in both coronal polishing and radiation safety. If certification is not received, the license will be suspended, which can only be reinstated by providing certification. Persons who have placed their license on inactive status with COMDA will not be required to complete the courses until they file to place their license back on active status.

Become involved with COMDA - applications are being accepted to work with COMDA as RDA Examiners for the practical exam, and RDH recorders for the RDH clinical exam.