§18375. Independent practice dental hygienist

1.  Scope of practice.  An independent practice dental hygienist may perform only the following duties without supervision by a dentist:

A. Interview patients and record complete medical and dental histories;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

B. Take and record the vital signs of blood pressure, pulse and temperature;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

C. Perform oral inspections, recording all conditions that should be called to the attention of a dentist;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

D. Perform complete periodontal and dental restorative charting;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

E. Perform all procedures necessary for a complete prophylaxis, including root planing;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

F. Apply fluoride to control caries;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

G. Apply desensitizing agents to teeth;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

H. Apply topical anesthetics;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

I. Apply sealants;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

J. Smooth and polish amalgam restorations, limited to slow-speed application only;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

K. [PL 2017, c. 388, §20 (RP).]

L. Obtain impressions for athletic mouth guards and custom fluoride trays;   [PL 2017, c. 388, §21 (AMD).]

M. Place and remove rubber dams;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

N. Place temporary restorations in compliance with the protocol adopted by the board;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

O. Apply topical antimicrobials, including fluoride but excluding antibiotics, for the purposes of bacterial reduction, caries control and desensitization in the oral cavity. The independent practice dental hygienist shall follow current manufacturer's instructions in the use of these medicaments;   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

P. Expose and process radiographs, including but not limited to vertical and horizontal bitewing films, periapical films, panoramic images and full-mouth series, under protocols developed by the board as long as the independent practice dental hygienist has a written agreement with a licensed dentist that provides that the dentist is available to interpret all dental radiographs within 21 days from the date the radiograph is taken and that the dentist will sign a radiographic review and findings form; and   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

Q. Prescribe, dispense or administer anticavity toothpastes or topical gels with 1.1% or less sodium fluoride and oral rinses with 0.05%, 0.2%, 0.44% or 0.5% sodium fluoride, as well as chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse. For the purposes of this paragraph, "topical" includes superficial and intraoral application.   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

[PL 2017, c. 388, §§20, 21 (AMD).]

2.  Practice standards.  An independent practice dental hygienist has the duties and responsibilities set out in this subsection with respect to each patient seen in an independent capacity.

A. Prior to an initial patient visit, an independent practice dental hygienist shall obtain from the patient or the parent or guardian of a minor patient written acknowledgment of the patient's or parent's or guardian's understanding that the independent practice dental hygienist is not a dentist and that the service to be rendered does not constitute restorative care or treatment.   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

B. An independent practice dental hygienist shall provide to a patient or the parent or guardian of a minor patient a written plan for referral to a dentist for any necessary dental care. The referral plan must identify all conditions that should be called to the attention of the dentist.   [PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

[PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2015, c. 429, §21 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 388, §§20, 21 (AMD).