D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-4310

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 17-4310 - FUNCTIONS OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS

4310.1

In accordance with § 102(4) of the Act, D.C. Official Code § 3-1201.02(4), a dental hygienist may perform the following functions under the general supervision of a licensed dentist, in his or her office or any public school or institution rendering dental services:

(a) A preliminary dental examination; a complete prophylaxis, including the removal of any deposits, diseased crevicular tissue, accretion, or stain from the surface of a tooth or a restoration; the polishing of a tooth or a restoration;

(b) The charting of cavities during preliminary examination, prophylaxis, or polishing;

(c) The application of a medicinal agent to a tooth for a prophylactic purpose and the application of therapeutic agents;

(d) The taking of a dental X-ray;

(e) The instruction of individuals or groups of individuals in oral health care;

(f) The application of pit and fissure sealants; and

(g) The performing of a screening to identify indications of oral abnormalities.

4310.2

In addition to the functions listed in § 4310.1, a dental hygienist may perform the following functions under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, as authorized by § 102(4)(A)(vi) of the Act, D.C. Official Code § 3-1201.2(4)(A)(vi) (2001):

(a) Monitoring of nitrous oxide;

(b) Administration of local anesthesia with board identified criteria and authorization;

(c) Administration of nitrous oxide with board identified criteria and authorization;

(d) Placement of periodontal dressings;

(e) Placement of temporary restorations;

(f) Removal of temporary restorations;

(g) Removal of periodontal dressings;

(h) Removal of sutures;

(i) Taking of study cast impressions;

(j) Placement and removal of rubber dams; and

(k) Bleaching.

4310.3

A dental hygienist shall not perform the following functions:

(a) Placement of sutures;

(b) Application of cavity liners and bases;

(c) Placement of amalgam restorations;

(d) Carving amalgam restorations;

(e) Finishing amalgam restorations;

(f) Placement and finishing of composite resin/silicate restorations; and

(g) Placement and removal of matrices; and

(h) Any function that is defined as the practice of dentistry under the Act unless specifically authorized under this subchapter.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-4310

Final Rulemaking published at 36 DCR 787, 794 (January 27, 1989); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 9240, 9241 (October 31, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 5011 (May 14, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 54 DCR 9545 (October 5, 2007)