2008 RDA Survey

1243 surveys were sent to current RDA’s in Michigan.
155 RDA surveys were completed and returned for a 12.47 % response.

Year of graduation:

13 RDA’s could not remember when they graduated, did not note it, or they put the school they graduated from instead of the year.  (8%)
1975-1979 (7) 5%
1980-1989 (33) 21%
1990-1999 (27) 17%
2000-2007 (75) 49%

Did you take the expanded functions course to be able to perform the new functions from 2003?

155 RDA’s responded
Did take the expanded functions course (122) 79%
Did not take the expanded functions course (29) 19%
Did not reply (4) 2%
Did not take the course, but were doing the new expanded functions anyway: 16 of the 29 assistants above

If you are performing the newer RDA functions, do you feel your office is more productive and efficient?

155 RDA's responded

Yes 70%
No 9 %
Not applicable 11%
No response 10%

In what ways is your office more productive?

More efficient use of assistant and doctor’s time.
Able to see more patients
Higher productivity
Office runs smoother
Dr. Can do hygiene checks, give anesthesia, make phone calls and fill out lab slips while assistant is seeing patients.
Time saved not having to wait on the doctor.
Assistant can troubleshoot issues with patient before doctor comes in.
Dr. is able to spend more time treatment planning and talking to patients.
Demonstrates ongoing education of staff and builds confidence of the RDA.
Patients do not have to wait so long.
Reduces the amount of time the doctor is with a patients, able to increase our patient load.
It is more effective to let doctor move on to other more difficult procedures.
Greater patient satisfaction
Office can double book.
Keeps the office on schedule

Would you like to be able to place and condense light cured resin composites if you satisfied an educational requirement?

155 RDA’s responded
Yes 79%
No 16%
Maybe 1 %
Not applicable 1%
No response 3%

Would you like to administer anesthesia with appropriate education?

155 RDA’s responded
Yes 67%
No 23%
Maybe 7%
Not applicable 0%
No response 3%

Original RDA functions

What functions are you currently performing?

155 surveys received
152 RDA’s completed this section
3 RDA’s did not reply in this section

58% Place and remove rubber dam.
65% Place and remove temporary fillings
93% Remove excess cement
73% Remove sutures
82% Apply fluoride and sealants
87% Perform mouth mirror inspections
84% Size temporary crowns and bands
16% Place and remove periodontal dressings
88% Temporarily cement and remove temporary crowns and bands
74% Polish specific teeth before procedures requiring acid etch

Newer RDA Functions implemented in 2003 requiring additional education

What functions are you currently performing?

155 surveys received
135 RDA’s completed this section
20 RDA’s did not reply in this section

42% Perform pulp vitality testing
79% Place and remove matrices and wedges
56% Apply cavity liners and bases
70% Place and pack non-epinephrine retraction cord
43% Dry endodontic canals with absorbent points
30% Etch and place adhesive prior to placement of ortho brackets
76% Monitor and assist in the administration of nitrous oxide
76% Apply desensitizing agents
96% Take impressions for orthodontic appliances, mouth guards, bite splints and bleaching trays
50% Place, condense, and carve amalgam restorations
53% Take final impressions for indirect restorations

What additional functions would you, as a RDA, like to be able to perform?

Suturing
Occlusal guard delivery and adjustment
Denture delivery and adjustment
Administer nitrous oxide
Treat dry sockets with medicated cord
Remove temporary or permanent subgingival cement
Duties under assignment and general categories so we can work without Dr. being present in the office
Use of slow speed handpiece intraorally to polish and adjust the bite on permanent and temporary restorations
Adjust and seat permanent crowns and bridges
“touch up” infiltration
Velscope exams
Place orthodontic brackets
Place and remove temporary fillings under assignment
Tissue laser
Perform a complete polish, not just on specific teeth
Polish with high speed handpiece
Place composites and amalgams
Perform perio probing/charting
Simple extractions
Permanently seat indirect restorations
Chairside whitening like Zoom
Adjust occlusion with high speed in mouth on temporaries
More expanded functions for ortho and oral surgery assistants
Begin emergency endo
Remove excess cement following ortho bracket removal with handpiece
Scale and polish teeth
Diagnose decay and treatment plan
Adjust occlusal guards following placement of restorations with supervision
Place and seal gutta percha
More endo assistant duties
Sealants under assignment
Supragingival scaling on children and adults
IV administration
Phlebotomy
Tobacco dependence treatments
Rubber cup polish on children
Prohy’s not requiring root planning.
x-rays under assignment
full polish after hygienist scales
Pack retraction cord with epinephrine
Final denture and partial impressions
Deliver bleaching trays
Adjust denture sore spots
Nutritional counseling
Anesthesia, block and infiltration
More duties with partials and dentures