Chapter IIIa: Dental assistants

The profession of dental assistant consists of assisting the dental surgeon or doctor practising in the field of dental surgery in his/her professional activity, under his/her responsibility and effective control. In this context, the dental assistant contributes to preventive and health education activities in the oral and dental field. Subject to having obtained the additional training qualification provided for by the order referred to in article L. 4393-9, they may…

The profession of dental assistant may be practised by holders of the French training qualification entitling them to practise this profession. The terms and conditions of the training, in particular the conditions of access, the skills reference framework and the procedures for awarding this qualification, are laid down by order of the Minister for Health, following the opinion of a commission comprising representatives of the State, dental surgeons and dental…

Persons holding a certificate or qualification, the list of which is set by order of the Minister for Health, may also practise the profession of dental assistant, provided that the corresponding training began before the date of entry into force of the order mentioned in the second paragraph of article L. 4393-9.

By way of derogation from articles L. 4393-9 and L. 4393-10, the competent authority may individually authorise dental surgery students who have obtained a sufficient level of knowledge to work as dental assistants in dental surgeries for the duration of their studies. The level of training required and the conditions for implementing this provision are laid down by decree.

The competent authority may, after obtaining the opinion of a committee composed in particular of professionals, individually authorise to practise the profession of dental assistant nationals of a Member State of the European Union or of another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area who, without possessing one of the qualifications or certificates mentioned in articles L. 4393-9 and L. 4393-10, hold : 1° Evidence of formal…

Dental assistants may use their evidence of formal qualifications in the language of the State which issued them. He must indicate the place and establishment where he obtained it. Where the evidence of formal qualifications from the Member State or Party of origin is liable to be confused with evidence of formal qualifications requiring additional training in France, the competent authority may decide that the dental assistant shall use the…

A dental assistant who is a national of a Member State of the European Union or of another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, who is established and legally practises the activities of a dental assistant in a Member State or a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, may perform professional acts in France on a temporary or occasional basis. Where the…

When the authorisation to practise or declaration of provision of services is issued, the dental assistant must have the language skills required to practise the profession and knowledge of the systems of weights and measures used in France. The language proficiency test must be proportionate to the activity to be carried out and must be carried out once the professional qualification has been recognised.

The following shall be determined by decree of the Conseil d’Etat: 1° The composition and operation of the commission mentioned in articles L. 4393-12 and L. 4393-14 and the conditions under which the person concerned is subject to a compensation measure; 2° The procedures for verifying the professional qualifications mentioned in the same article L. 4393-14.

Persons who have obtained the evidence of formal qualifications or authorisation required to practise as dental assistants are required to register with the department or body designated for this purpose by the Minister for Health before they enter the profession. The registration of these persons is carried out after verification of the supporting documents attesting to their identity and their training qualification or authorisation. They must inform the same department…