What They Do and How They Benefit Our Valued Patients
At Lakefront Family Dentistry, we believe in providing our patients with the best possible dental care. This includes investing in advanced technology—such as the CEREC System and Solea Laser—and providing our patients with a comfortable and luxurious dental experience. For example, the practice has invested in the most comfortable A-dec dental chairs on the market.
Lakefront Family Dentistry also provides a variety of ways to help our patients who have dental anxiety. We provide conscious oral sedation and have beautiful therapy dogs (Nilla and Stella) for the comfort of our patients.
Part of our commitment to excellence is employing well-trained and qualified staff members who can ensure each patient receives top-notch dental care. As part of this commitment, Lakefront Family Dentistry employs 4 Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Function, Expanded Duties Level II (RDAEF2), 4 Registered Dental Assistants, 6 Dental Hygienists, and 4 Patient Coordinators. This team of dental professionals is led by Dr. Mark Phillipe and Dr. Hauser.
Most dental offices only have Registered Dental Assistants. Our private practice goes above and beyond the normal training for staff and has 4 Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Function, Expanded Duties Level II (RDA-EF II).
Patti, Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Function, Expanded Duties Level II
In this article, we are looking at the role and function of RDAEF2s and how they benefit the patient experience at Lakefront Family Dentistry.
What is a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Function, Expanded Duties Level II?
An RDAEF2 is equivalent to a Physician’s Assistant in the medical field. In other words, these are highly trained dental professionals who undergo extensive training and have years of experience in a dental practice. RDAEF2s can perform all the regular duties of a registered dental assistant but can also perform more advanced and specialized duties, which are described in more detail in the next section.
What Can RDAEF2s Do in a Dental Office?
As stated above, RDAEF2s can perform all the duties a registered dental assistant, along with the following specialized duties:
- 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.
- Taking x-rays and impressions
- Perform the final sealing of root canals
- Create the scan or impression for crowns
- Design CEREC crowns with the office’s CEREC machine
- Oversee impressions, try-ins, and delivery of final dentures or partials
- Provide composite fillings
- Cement final crowns and bridges
- Adjust bite as needed
Angela, Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Function, Expanded Duties Level II
How are RDAEF2s Licensed?
In the State of California, all RDAEFs and RDAEF2s must be licensed by the Dental Board of California. To obtain their RDAEF and RDAEFII (2) license, applicants must meet all the following eligibility requirements:
- Current licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or completion of the requirements for licensure as an RDA
- Successful completion of a Board-approved course in the application of Pit & Fissure Sealants
- Successful completion of a Board-approved RDAEF and RDAEFII (2) program
- Successful passage of a written examination administered by the Board
- Submission of fingerprint clearances from both the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
What Training Do RDAEF2s Undergo?
Statistically, most RDAEF2s were RDAs for approximately 7 years before pursuing the training to become an RDAEF and RDAEFII (2). This training is an extensive 2-year course that is completed after becoming a registered RDA. This course is an expensive investment in an RDA’s education and career.
One such program within the State of California involves 400+ hours of training, practice, and testing to prepare candidates for the California State Board exam. During this program, students undergo extensive training in the following extended functions:
- Performing patient oral health evaluations, charting and evaluating of soft tissue, classifying occlusion and myofunctional evaluation
- Performing oral health assessments in community and school-based settings under the direction of a dentist, RDH, or RDHAP
- Sizing and fitting endodontic master points and accessory points
- Making final impressions for tooth-borne removable prostheses
- Polishing and contouring existing amalgam restorations
- Placing, contouring, finishing, and adjusting direct restorations
- Adjusting and cementing permanent indirect restorations
In addition, candidates are trained to perform the following skills:
- Cord retraction and final impressions procedures for indirect restorations
- Fitting and cementing endodontic master points and accessory points
- Making final impressions for permanent indirect restorations
- All other procedures authorized and adopted by the dental board
Calle, Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Function, Expanded Duties Level II
How Do RDAEF2’s Benefit Patients?
Lakefront Family Dentistry is one of the few private practices that have four RDAEF2’s on staff. This allows our practice to provide excellent patient care at a level that is not normally available at other private dental practices.
One of the major benefits of having multiple RDAEF2s on staff is that our staff can spend more one-on-one time with patients. This means patients do not have to feel rushed while in the office and can take the time they need to get a full understanding of their recommended treatment program. RDAEFIIs can also answer questions that patients may have forgotten to ask the doctor.
In addition, RDAEF2s work closely with Dr. Phillipe, Dr. Hauser, and the patient to come up with the best possible treatment plan. With their extensive experience in the dental field, RDAEF2s are uniquely positioned to answer patient questions, explain procedures, and perform many key responsibilities within the practice.
Why Choose Lakefront Family Dentistry?
With more than 600, 5-star reviews, Lakefront Family Dentistry is the preeminent dental practice in Riverside County, CA. We are proud to serve the communities within Riverside County, including Canyon Lake, Corona, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta, Sun City, Temecula, and Wildomar. Our practice provides a wide range of services, including general, cosmetic, restorative dentistry, dental hygiene, and oral surgery.
Our dental services include:
- CEREC Crowns
- Invisalign
- Dental Porcelain Crowns
- Porcelain Veneers
- Dental Bridges
- White Tooth Fillings
- Teeth Whitening
- Root Canals
- Periodontal Disease Treatment
- Teeth Cleaning
- Frenectomies
- Dental Implants
- Tooth Extractions
Shawna, Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Function, Expanded Duties Level II
Our family-oriented practice serves patients of all ages—from babies to senior citizens. We are one of the best dentists for kids in Riverside County. After all, what child or adult wouldn’t enjoy having a trained therapy dog ease their nerves when visiting the dentist?
Contact Lakefront Family Dentistry at (951) 244-9495 to schedule a consultation or use our online appointment form. Come see why patients rank Lakefront Family Dentistry as the best private cosmetic and family dentistry practice in the Inland Empire.
