1. (a) Payment for dental hygiene services provided under this section to recipients 21 years of age and older reduces the recipient's annual dental limit under 7 AAC 110.145(b) and the associated unused services provisions of 7 AAC 110.145(e).
2. (b) Prior authorization requirements under 7 AAC 110.145 and 7 AAC 110.150 apply to services provided under this section.
3. (c) Services provided under this section count toward service limits under 7 AAC 110.145 and 7 AAC 110.150.

4. (d) Except as specifically excluded under (f) of this section, the department will pay an advanced practice dental hygienist enrolled under 7 AAC 110.140 for services that are within the individual's scope of practice and identified in the Fee Schedule: Advanced Practice Dental Hygienist Services, adopted by reference in 7 AAC 160.900, including

   1. (1) radiographs necessary for routine dental care;

   2. (2) preventive care, including

      1. (A) prophylaxis, including necessary scaling, polishing, and instructions;
      2. (B) topical fluoride application; and
      3. (C) anterior removable space maintainer;
   3. (3) under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, placement of a restoration into a cavity prepared by a dentist enrolled under this chapter and subsequent carving, contouring, and adjustment of the contacts and occlusion of the restoration; and
   4. (4) non-surgical periodontics and local periodontal therapeutic agents, including treatment of pain or acute infection of supporting tissues of the teeth, including gingivitis, periodontitis, and periodontal abscess.
5. (e) The department will not pay an advanced practice dental hygienist for the noncovered services identified in 7 AAC 110.145(g).

6. (f) An advanced practice dental hygienist may provide services in the following locations to an individual who is unable to access dental hygiene services in a dental office setting because of age, infirmity, or disability:

   1. (1) a senior center;
   2. (2) a hospital;
   3. (3) a long-term care facility;
   4. (4) an adult foster home;
   5. (5) a residential care facility;
   6. (6) an adult congregate living facility;
   7. (7) a mental health residential program;
   8. (8) a facility for individuals with developmental or other disabilities;
   9. (9) fluoride only in a nursery school or day care program;
   10. (10) a vocational training facility;
   11. (11) a public, private, or charter primary or secondary school;
   12. (12) a private home;
   13. (13) a dental health professional shortage area (HPSA) designated under 42 U.S.C. 254e.

(Eff. 3/1/2024, Register 249)

Authority: AS 47.05.010, AS 47.07.030, AS 47.07.040