§ 854 - Practice
§ 854. Practice
(a) A hygienist may perform duties for which the hygienist has been qualified by successful completion of the normal curriculum offered by schools of dental hygiene accredited by the American Dental Association or in continuing education courses approved by the board of dental examiners. A hygienist may perform tasks in the office of any licensed dentist, consistent with the rules adopted by the board under section 767 of this title. In public or private schools or public or private institutions, a hygienist with no less than three years of experience may perform tasks under the general supervision of a licensed dentist with no less than three years of experience as prescribed in guidelines adopted by the board by rule.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 721(a) of this title, a hygienist may administer for dental hygiene purposes local anesthetics under the direct supervision and by the prescription of a licensed dentist pursuant to rules adopted by the board. The rules shall include minimum education requirements and procedures for administration of local anesthetics.
(c) The license of a hygienist authorized to administer local anesthetics shall have a special endorsement to that effect. (Amended 1969, No. 81, § 23; 1971, No. 142 (Adj. Sess.), eff. Feb. 3, 1972; 1977, No. 255 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1993, No. 22, § 1; 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 9.)