Our Team
The team who works alongside Dr. Brosi.
Licensed clinical staff work alongside Dr. Robert J. Brosi to care for you at every visit. Here's what each role does and what the California licenses behind them cover.
The clinical team
What each clinical role does.
RDA and RDH are California licenses. Each one requires an examination, carries its own scope of practice, and comes with a continuing education requirement.
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Registered dental hygienist
California license Cleanings, gum measurements and prevention
Our hygienist cleans your teeth, checks your gum health, and keeps track of how those measurements change from one visit to the next.
A registered dental hygienist completes an accredited hygiene program and passes written and clinical board examinations before California grants the license, and keeps learning through continuing education after it.
At a routine visit the hygienist does much of the hands-on work: removing deposit a toothbrush can't reach, charting the pocket depths around each tooth, noting where the gums bleed, and flagging anything Dr. Brosi should look at more closely.
Those readings become part of your record, and they guide Dr. Brosi's examination and any periodontal diagnosis.
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Registered dental assistant
California license Chairside assisting and room preparation
Our assistant works alongside Dr. Brosi during treatment and usually lets you know what's coming before each step.
A registered dental assistant is licensed by the Dental Board of California, with an examination to earn the license and continuing education to keep it current, because chairside assisting is clinical work.
During a procedure the assistant keeps the working area clear and dry and has instruments ready as they're needed, all while keeping an eye on your comfort.
Depending on the procedure and on the permits an assistant holds, the role can also include taking x-rays, taking impressions and placing temporary materials under the dentist's supervision.
RDH
What a registered dental hygienist does.
A cleaning involves more than polishing, and much of a routine checkup is hygiene work.
Scaling comes first. Plaque hardens into calculus that a toothbrush can't remove, above the gumline and below it, and removing that deposit helps keep gum inflammation from progressing to bone loss.
Measurements follow. A probe reads the depth of the space between gum and tooth at six points around each tooth, and bleeding points are recorded. Those numbers are the basis for diagnosing gum disease and for tracking whether it is improving or progressing, so each year's readings are compared with the readings from earlier visits.
The visit also includes x-rays where they are due, an examination of the soft tissue, polishing, and a discussion of home care technique. Home care between appointments has a substantial effect on the next set of readings. See what happens at an exam and cleaning.
RDA
What a registered dental assistant does.
A registered dental assistant works alongside the dentist during treatment and prepares the room before and after it.
Before each appointment the assistant prepares the room: surfaces are disinfected, barriers are changed, and instruments are taken from sterilization and laid out for the scheduled procedure. The same preparation is repeated for every patient.
During treatment the assistant manages suction, isolation and retraction, keeping the tooth under treatment clear and dry. Bonded restorations require a dry tooth to bond reliably, so this attention continues through the procedure. Depending on the procedure and on the permits an assistant holds, the role can also include taking x-rays, taking impressions or scans, and placing temporary materials under the dentist's supervision.
After treatment the assistant usually reviews what to expect for the rest of the day: how long numbness lasts, what to eat, what counts as normal soreness, and what is a reason to call the office. If any instruction is unclear, please ask before you leave, and we'll be glad to go over it again.
Preparing for a visit
Information that helps us care for you.
The more we know, the better we can look after you. The four items below are worth mentioning at any visit.
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Mention dental anxiety
If dental visits make you nervous, please mention it at the start of the appointment. We'll adjust the pace, explain more along the way, and agree on a signal so you can pause treatment at any point. The details are covered in what to expect at a visit.
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Tell us about every medication
Please include supplements and medications that seem unrelated to dental care. Blood thinners, bone medications, blood pressure drugs and anything that causes dry mouth affect what's safe to do and how we assess decay risk.
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Mention changes since your last visit
Maybe a tooth has become sensitive to cold, a spot catches floss, or your jaw clicks in the morning. Specific observations help us direct the examination. See common questions.
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Ask for a pause when you need one
Raising a hand is a standard signal to pause treatment, and a short break is a normal part of an appointment. We'll agree on the signal together before treatment begins.
If you have a question about the clinical team or an upcoming appointment, give us a call at (559) 683-4694. We're happy to help. New patient information covers preparation for a first visit, and the contact page has directions.
We'd be glad to see you.
Whether you're due for a cleaning or a tooth has been bothering you, give us a call during office hours or send an appointment request through this website.
Monday to Wednesday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Thursday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. For a life-threatening emergency call 911 rather than the office.