DEH 1005 Week 6 Flashcards

Dental Hygiene Practice Act

What is the Dental Hygiene Practice Act?

A set of state laws regulating the practice of dental hygiene. This includes licensure, scope of practice, supervision, disciplinary authority, continuing education, and educational requirements

What is the primary purpose of the Dental Hygiene Practice Act?

To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public

Why is dental hygiene regulated at the state level rather than nationally?

States have constitutional authority (police powers) to regulate professions to protect public health, safety, and welfare

Why do Practice Acts differ among states?

Each state establishes its own laws regarding dental hygiene, resulting in differences in scope of practice, supervision, licensure, and expanded functions

Define “enact”

To make or pass a law

Define “implement”

To put a law into effect

Define “biennially”

Every two years

Define “statutory law”

Laws passed by the legislature

Define “common law”

Law based on previous court decisions

Define “administrative rule”

Rules created by the Board of Dentistry to implement statutory law

Which branch of government enacts laws? (makes or passes the laws)

Legislative branch

Which branch enforces laws?

Executive branch

Which branch interprets laws?

Judicial branch

What are the roles of the Colorado Board of Dentistry?

• License dental professionals

• Renew licenses

• Investigate complaints

• Discipline licensees

• Create administrative rules

Where can you verify whether a Colorado dental hygienist’s license is active?

The Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)

What information can be found through DORA’s license lookup?

• License status

• License number

• Issue date of license

• Expiration date of license

• Public disciplinary actions

What are the general requirements for licensure?

• At least 18 years old

• Good moral character

• Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program

• Pass required licensure examinations

What is CODA?

Commission on Dental Accreditation

What is licensure by endorsement?

Receiving a dental hygiene license based on credentials from another qualifying state rather than retaking examinations

What are the different types of dental hygiene licenses?

• Full

• Temporary

• Volunteer

• Faculty

What does a faculty dental hygiene license allow you to do?

Teach and supervise clinical care in a CODA-accredited program

Why should a hygienist review the Practice Act every year?

Laws change regularly, and dental hygienists are legally responsible for knowing current regulations

What are the consequences of practicing without a license?

• Criminal penalties

• Fines

• License suspension or revocation

• Possible imprisonment

What are some examples of unprofessional conduct?

• Fraud

• Misrepresentation

• Felony conviction

• Aiding unlicensed practice

• Sexual misconduct with a patient

• Violating state or federal law

• Practicing while impaired

Why is continuing education required?

To maintain competency and renew licensure

What procedures may a Colorado dental hygienist perform without dentist supervision?

• Prophylaxis

• Scaling and root planing

• Soft tissue curettage/removal of granulation tissue

• Fluoride application

• Pit and fissure sealants

• Study casts/digital scans

• Radiographs

• Oral and systemic screening tests

• Topical anesthesia

• Local anesthesia (with certification)

• Dental hygiene assessment

• Dental hygiene diagnosis

• Dental hygiene treatment planning

• Identify hard and soft tissue abnormalities for referral

• Prescribe approved fluoride products

• Prescribe approved anti-caries agents

• Prescribe approved anti-infective agents

• Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) (with certification)

• Supervise dental assistants within the dental hygiene scope

• Own a dental hygiene practice

Which procedures require indirect supervision?

• Nitrous oxide administration (with certification)

• Laser procedures

• Interim Therapeutic Restorations (ITRs)

Which procedures require direct supervision or medical delegation?

• Vaccine administration

• Neuromodulators

• Dermal fillers

Which procedures require additional certification?

• Dental radiography (X-Rays)

• Local anesthesia

• Nitrous oxide administration

• Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

What is a dental hygiene diagnosis?

Identification of oral health conditions that a dental hygienist is licensed to treat within the dental hygiene scope of practice

Can a dental hygienist diagnose cavities?

No. Dental caries must be diagnosed by a dentist

What should a dental hygienist do if an abnormality is outside the hygiene scope of practice?

Document the findings and refer the patient to a dentist or appropriate specialist

Can a Colorado dental hygienist own a dental hygiene practice?

Yes

Can a Colorado dental hygienist supervise dental assistants?

Yes, for duties that fall within the dental hygiene scope of practice

Define Direct Supervision

The dentist is on the premises and available for prompt consultation

Define indirect supervision

The dentist has prior knowledge and consent but does not have to be on the premises

What is an Interim Therapeutic Restoration (ITR)?

A temporary restoration placed after removing soft decay with hand instruments and restoring the tooth with glass ionomer until definitive treatment is completed

What are three important requirements for ITR under telehealth supervision?

• Supervising dentist must hold an active Colorado license

• One dentist may supervise no more than five full-time equivalent hygienists performing ITRs under telehealth (unless granted a waiver)

• The hygienist must refer the patient to a licensed dentist for follow-up care

What is teledentistry?

The use of HIPAA-compliant technology to assess, diagnose, consult, educate, monitor, and treatment-plan for patients remotely