Section 338.11408. Registered dental hygienist; assignment of intra-oral procedures.

Rule 1408. A registered dental hygienist shall not perform the following intraoral dental procedures unless the procedures are performed under the assignment of a dentist:

(a)    Removing accretions and stains from the surfaces of the teeth and applying of topical agents essential to complete prophylaxis.

(b)   Root planning or debridement.

(c)   Polishing and contouring restorations.

(d)    Applying  anticariogenic and desensitizing  agents  including, but not limited to, sealants, fluoride varnish, and fluoride applications.

(e)   Charting of the oral cavity, including all of the following:

(i)   Periodontal charting.

(ii)   Intra- and extra-oral examining of soft tissue.

(iii)   Charting of radiolucencies or radiopacities, existing restorations, and missing teeth.

(f)  Preliminary examining that includes both of the following:

(i)   Classifying occlusion.

(ii)   Testing pulp vitality using an electric pulp tester.

(g)   Applying topical anesthetic agents by prescription of the dentist.

(h)   Placing and removing intra-coronal temporary sedative dressings.

(i)   Placing and removing postextraction and periodontal dressings.

(j)   Removing excess cement from tooth surfaces.

(k)   Providing nutritional counseling for oral health and maintenance.

(l)   Applying commonly accepted emergency procedures.

(m)   ) Removing sutures.

(n)   Placing and removing a rubber dam.

(o)    Taking impressions for study or opposing models, orthodontic appliances, mouth guards, bite splints, and bleaching trays.

(p)   Operating dental radiographic equipment.

(q)   Placing subgingival medicaments.

(r)   Temporarily cementing and removing of temporary crowns and bands.

(s)   Applying or dispensing in-office bleaching products.

History: 1984 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2006 AACS; 2011 AACS; 2014 AACS.