Under direct supervision, which of the following duties can an RDAEF NOT perform?

The ability of an RDAEF (Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions) to perform specific duties under direct supervision is governed by California dental law. Under direct supervision, an RDAEF is allowed to perform a variety of advanced tasks, which include certain procedures that assist in patient care.

The specific duty of placing bases on sound dentin is not permissible for an RDAEF under direct supervision because it requires clinical judgment and more advanced knowledge of cavity preparation and restorative procedures. This task is usually reserved for licensed dentists who have the proper training to determine the appropriateness of placing a base on sound dentin, as it involves understanding the nuances of individual cases and the potential implications for patient health.

In contrast, the other listed duties—taking impressions for space maintainers, fitting trial endodontic filling points, and placing orthodontic separators—are well within the scope of practice for an RDAEF under direct supervision, as they are considered supportive functions that can be safely and effectively performed with appropriate oversight. Thus, the key the explanation hinges upon is recognizing the limits of an RDAEF's role in more complex procedures that necessitate a higher level of clinical evaluation and judgment, such as placing bases, compared to the other tasks that are more procedural in