38-1131. Licensed dental hygienist; procedures and functions authorized; enumerated.

When authorized by and under the general supervision of a licensed dentist, a licensed dental hygienist may perform the following intra and extra oral procedures and functions:

(1) Oral prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, and root planing which includes supragingival and subgingival debridement;

(2) Polish all exposed tooth surfaces, including restorations;

(3) Conduct and assess preliminary charting, probing, screening examinations, and indexing of dental and periodontal disease, with referral, when appropriate, for a dental diagnosis by a licensed dentist;

(4) Brush biopsies;

(5) Pulp vitality testing;

(6) Gingival curettage;

(7) Removal of sutures;

(8) Preventive measures, including the application of fluorides, sealants, and other recognized topical agents for the prevention of oral disease;

(9) Impressions for study casts;

(10) Application of topical and subgingival agents;

(11) Radiographic exposures;

(12) Oral health education, including conducting workshops and inservice training sessions on dental health;

(13) Application or administration of antimicrobial rinses, fluorides, and other anticariogenic agents;

(14) Upon completion of education and testing approved by the board, interim therapeutic restoration technique; and

(15) All of the duties that a dental assistant who is not licensed is authorized to perform.

Upon completion of education and testing approved by the board and when authorized by and under the general supervision of a licensed dentist, a licensed dental hygienist may write prescriptions for mouth rinses and fluoride products that help decrease the risk for tooth decay.

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