Section 17-4310. FUNCTIONS OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS

 

4310.1In 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.

 

4310.2In 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.

 

4310.3A 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.

 

source

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).