(a) Under indirect supervision, a hygienist may perform any dental task or procedure assigned by the supervising dentist to the hygienist that does not require the professional skills of a licensed dentist except for:

1. (1) Those functions prohibited in 17 CAR § 115-1103; or
2. (2) Those tasks that require operative supervision.

(b) Under operative supervision, a hygienist may perform the following procedures:

1. (1) Any procedure allowed under indirect supervision; and
2. (2) Administer certain local anesthesia injections as provided in 17 CAR § 115-1601 et seq.

(c) Under general supervision, the following restrictions apply:

1. (1)

   1. (A) A hygienist may render services only:

(i) With the expressed consent of the supervising dentist; and

1. (ii) For brief intervals when the supervising dentist cannot be in the treatment facility not to exceed two (2) consecutive days.

   1. (B) A hygienist may render services for up to five (5) consecutive days in a five-day work week (a work week being defined as Monday through Friday).
   2. (C) The hygienist must have the expressed consent of the supervising dentist when the dentist cannot be present in the treatment facility during the work week.
   3. (D) This arrangement cannot exceed two (2) weeks without the dentist returning to work in the treatment facility;
2. (2) The supervising dentist maintains full control as to whether general supervision will be utilized in his or her office or practice setting;

3. (3) General supervision is allowed only in:

   1. (A) Dental clinics;
   2. (B) Community health centers; or
   3. (C) Government-sponsored dental facilities;
4. (4) Hygienists must comply with written protocols for emergencies as established by the supervising dentist;
5. (5) Hygienists must practice under the supervision of a licensed dentist and may not practice independently or establish an office devoted primarily to dental hygiene services;
6. (6) Hygienists must have one (1) full year of full-time service before being able to function under general supervision of a dentist;
7. (7) Patients must be notified in advance that the doctor may not be in the treatment facility;
8. (8) The supervising dentist must have examined the patient or patients not more than twelve (12) months prior;

9. (9) Hygienists may perform any procedure allowed under indirect supervision with the exception of:

   1. (A) Root planing;
   2. (B) Subgingival curettage;
   3. (C) Local anesthesia; and
   4. (D) Administration of nitrous oxide;
10. (10) The hygienist may place sealants if it has not been more than thirty (30) days since the teeth to be sealed were examined by the dentist; and
11. (11) A registered dental hygienist may not delegate functions to a registered dental assistant when the treating dentist is not in the facility.