38-1131 Licensed dental hygienist; procedures and functions authorized; enumerated.
38-1131. Licensed dental hygienist; procedures and functions authorized; enumerated.When authorized by and under the general supervision of a licensed dentist, a licensed dental hygienist may perform the following intra and extra oral procedures and functions:(1) Oral prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, and root planing which includes supragingival and subgingival debridement; (2) Polish all exposed tooth surfaces, including restorations;(3) Conduct and assess preliminary charting, probing, screening examinations, and indexing of dental and periodontal disease, with referral, when appropriate, for a dental diagnosis by a licensed dentist;(4) Brush biopsies;(5) Pulp vitality testing;(6) Gingival curettage;(7) Removal of sutures;(8) Preventive measures, including the application of fluorides, sealants, and other recognized topical agents for the prevention of oral disease;(9) Impressions for study casts;(10) Application of topical and subgingival agents;(11) Radiographic exposures;(12) Oral health education, including conducting workshops and inservice training sessions on dental health;(13) Application or administration of antimicrobial rinses, fluorides, and other anticariogenic agents; and(14) All of the duties that any dental assistant is authorized to perform. SourceLaws 1986, LB 572, § 3; Laws 1999, LB 800, § 7; R.S.1943, (2003), § 71-193.17; Laws 2007, LB247, § 25; Laws 2007, LB463, § 464.