32-1289
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32-1289. Employment of dental hygienist by public agency, institution or school; definitions A. A public health agency or institution or a public or private school authority may employ dental hygienists to perform necessary dental hygiene procedures under either direct or general supervision pursuant to section 32-1281. B. A dental hygienist employed by or working under contract or as a volunteer for a public health agency or institution or a public or private school authority before an examination by a dentist may screen patients and apply topical fluoride without entering into an affiliated practice relationship pursuant to this section. C. A public health agency or institution, a public or private school authority or A government sponsored program that provides dental services may enter into a contract for dental hygiene services with licensees who have entered into an affiliated practice relationship pursuant to this section. D. The dental hygienist and the affiliated dentist must notify the board of the beginning of the affiliated practice relationship and provide the board with a copy of the agreement and any amendments to the agreement within thirty days after the effective date of the agreement or amendment. The dental hygienist and the affiliated dentist must also notify the board within thirty days after the termination date of the affiliated practice relationship if this date is different than the contract termination date. E. A dental hygienist must satisfy all of the following to be eligible to enter into an affiliated practice relationship with a dentist to perform dental hygiene procedures in affiliated practice settings: 1. Hold an active license pursuant to this article. 2. Enter into an affiliated practice relationship with a specific dentist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter. 3. Have held a license as a dental hygienist for at least five years and actively engaged in dental hygiene practice for at least two thousand hours in the five years immediately preceding the affiliated practice relationship. F. An affiliated practice relationship between a dental hygienist and a dentist must be in writing and must include at least the following: 1. An identification of the affiliated practice settings in which the dental hygienist may engage in dental hygiene practice pursuant to an affiliated practice relationship. 2. An identification of the procedures and standing orders the dental hygienist must follow. The standing orders must include the circumstances in which a patient may be seen by a dental hygienist. 3. A requirement that the patients who have been assessed by the dental hygienist be directed to the affiliated dentist for treatment or planning that is outside of the dental hygienist's scope of practice and that the affiliated dentist make any necessary referrals to other dentists. 4. A requirement that a patient be seen by a licensed dentist within twelve months of initial treatment by the dental hygienist. If the patient has not received an examination and a treatment plan by a licensed dentist, the dental hygienist shall not provide further treatment. 5. A requirement that a patient sixty-five years of age or older be seen by a licensed dentist after treatment by the dental hygienist. If the patient has not received an examination and a treatment plan by a licensed dentist, the dental hygienist shall not provide further treatment. 6. A requirement that if a patient presents with a complex medical history or medication regimen, the affiliated dental hygienist shall consult with the affiliated dentist prior to any treatment by the affiliated dental hygienist. The patient shall be directed to the affiliated dentist and the affiliated dentist shall make any necessary referrals to other licensed dentists. 7. A requirement that the patient be informed that the dental hygienist providing the care is a licensed dental hygienist and that the care does not take the place of a diagnosis or treatment plan by a dentist. 8. Pursuant to paragraph 3, 4 or 5 of this subsection, a requirement that the patient be informed that further dental hygiene services may not be provided unless the patient has been seen by a licensed dentist. G. The board shall adopt rules regarding participation in affiliated practice relationships by dentists and dental hygienists that specify the following: 1. Additional continuing education requirements that must be satisfied by a dental hygienist. 2. Additional standards and conditions that may apply to affiliated practice relationships. 3. Compliance with the dental practice act and rules adopted by the board. H. Each dentist in an affiliated practice relationship must: 1. Be available to provide an appropriate level of contact, communication and consultation with the affiliated dental hygienist. 2. Adopt standing orders applicable to dental hygiene procedures that may be performed and populations that may be treated by the dental hygienist under the terms of the applicable affiliated practice agreement and to be followed by the dental hygienist in each affiliated practice setting in which the dental hygienist performs dental hygiene services under the affiliated practice relationship. 3. Adopt procedures to provide timely referral of patients referred by the affiliated dental hygienist to a licensed dentist for examination and treatment planning. If the examination and treatment planning is to be provided by the dentist, that treatment shall be scheduled in an appropriate time frame. The dentist or the dentist to whom the patient is referred must be geographically available to see the patient. I. Each affiliated dental hygienist when practicing under an affiliated practice relationship: 1. May perform only those duties within the terms of the affiliated practice relationship. 2. Must maintain an appropriate level of contact, communication and consultation with the affiliated dentist. 3. Is responsible and liable for all services rendered by the dental hygienist under the affiliated practice relationship. J. Subject to the terms of the written affiliated practice agreement entered into between a dentist and a dental hygienist, a dental hygienist may perform all dental hygiene procedures authorized by this chapter except for the procedures identified in section 32-1281, subsection B, paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 or any diagnostic procedures that are required to be performed by a dentist. K. Subject to the terms of the written affiliated practice agreement entered into between a dentist and a dental hygienist, a dental hygienist may perform dental hygiene procedures in affiliated practice settings only on a person who is any of the following: 1. Enrolled in a federal, state, county or local health care program. 2. Participating in the national school meal program. 3. From a family with a household income that is less than two hundred per cent of the federal poverty guidelines. L. This section does not require any dentist or dental hygienist to enter into an affiliated practice relationship. M. For the purposes of this section: 1. "Affiliated practice setting" means the delivery of dental hygiene services by a dental hygienist under an affiliated practice relationship through a public health agency or institution, a public or private school authority or a government sponsored program that provides dental services. 2. "Screen" means visually examining the teeth and hard or soft tissue of the mouth for obvious oral health problems for the purpose of advising the patient of the need for dental care, and shall not include an examination diagnosis or treatment planning. |