Section 36-6A-40 - Employment of hygienist--Scope of permitted practice--Preventive and therapeuticservices.
36-6A-40. Employment of hygienist--Scope of permitted practice--Preventive and therapeutic services. Any licensed dentist, public institution, or school authority may use the services of a licensed dental hygienist. Such licensed dental hygienist may perform those services which are educational, diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive in nature and are authorized by the Board of Dentistry, including those additional procedures authorized by subdivision 36-6A-14(10). Such services may not include the establishment of a final diagnosis or treatment plan for a dental patient. Such services shall be performed under supervision of a licensed dentist.
As an employee of a public institution or school authority, functioning without the supervision of a licensed dentist, a licensed dental hygienist may only provide educational services.
All preventive and therapeutic services may be performed under general supervision provided all individuals treated are patients of record of a licensed dentist and that all care rendered by the hygienist is completed under the definition of patient of record.
Source: SDC 1939, § 27.0608; SL 1943, ch 102; SL 1949, ch 107; SL 1965, ch 120; SL 1971, ch 213, § 34; SL 1992, ch 269, § 51.