In the State of New York you must be Licensed to Practice many duties of a Dental Assistant
University of the State of New York New York State Education Department
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/dent/dentcdalic.htm
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/dent/dentcdalic.htm
provide patient education
- take preliminary medical histories and vital signs to be reviewed by the dentist
- place and remove rubber dams
- select and prefit provisional crowns
- select and prefit orthodontic bands
- remove orthodontic arch wires and ligature ties
- place and remove matrix bands
- take impressions for study casts or diagnostic casts
- remove periodontal dressings
- remove sutures placed by a licensed dentist
- take impressions for space maintainers, orthodontic appliances, and occlusal guards
- remove temporary cement
- apply topical anticariogenic agents to the teeth
- apply desensitizing agents to the teeth
- place and remove temporary separating devices
- place orthodontic ligatures
- take dental x-rays in accordance with Public Health Law
- perform such other dental supportive services authorized by the dentist and consistent with New York State laws rules and regulations.
License Requirements: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/dent/dentcdalic.htm
Application for License: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/dent/dentcdaforms.htm
Questions and answers: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/dent/dentasst.htm