Section 3.02. Practice of dental hygiene defined.

 

(1)  Those practices a dental hygienist may perform while a dentist is present in the dental facility include:

(a) Performing complete prophylaxis which may include:

1. Removing calcareous deposits, accretions and stains from the surface of teeth;

2. Performing deep periodontal scaling, including root planing;

3. Polishing natural and restored tooth surfaces.

(b) Placing temporary restorations in teeth in emergency situations.

(c) Placing in an oral cavity:

1. Rubber dams; and

2. Periodontal surgical dressings.

(d) Removing from an oral cavity:

1. Rubber dams;

2. Periodontal surgical dressings; and

3. Sutures.

(e) Removing excess cement from teeth, inlays, crowns, bridges and fixed orthodontic appliances.

(2)  Those practices a dental hygienist may perform whether or not a dentist is present in the dental facility include:

(a) Preparing specimens for dietary or salivary analysis;

(b) Taking impressions for and fabricating study casts and opposing casts;

(c) Making and processing dental radiograph exposures;

(d) Conducting a preliminary examination of the oral cavity and surrounding structures which may include preparing case histories and recording clinical findings for the dentist to review;

(e) Providing prevention measures, including application of fluorides and other topical agents approved by the American dental association for the prevention of oral disease.

(3)  A dental hygienist shall report clinical findings made in the practice of dental hygiene to the supervising dentist.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1982, No. 314 , eff. 3-1-82.