1. (a)

   1. (1) A permit is required for a dental hygienist to administer local anesthetic agents.

   2. (2) A dental hygienist who desires to administer local anesthetics using regional injection of a drug in the State of Arkansas under Arkansas Code § 17-82-103(c) may apply to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners for a permit to do so pursuant to the following requirements:

      1. (A) Hold a current Arkansas dental hygiene license;
      2. (B)

2. (i) Provide proof of successful completion of a local anesthesia course (including inferior alveolar nerve block) sponsored by or held in a dental hygiene/dental school that is accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation.

   1. (ii) The course may have been within the dental hygiene curriculum or have been a continuing education course; and

      1. (C) Provide proof of a current certificate of a healthcare provider level of basic life support.

3. (b)

   1. (1) Upon receipt of the board’s permit, a dental hygienist may administer local anesthetics under the direct supervision of a dentist with the exception of administering the following injections:

      1. (A) Posterior superior alveolar nerve block; and
      2. (B) Inferior alveolar nerve block.
   2. (2) A dental hygienist who has been issued a board permit, or who is attending a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program, will be required to administer the posterior superior alveolar nerve block and inferior alveolar nerve block under the operative supervision of a dentist until the dental hygienist or student has successfully completed fifteen (15) injections of each of these types (thirty (30) injections total).
   3. (3) After successful completion of the above, written documentation shall be submitted to the board.
   4. (4) Upon notification from the board, the dental hygienist may then administer these injections under the direct supervision of a dentist.

   5. (5) The thirty (30) required injections may be given to patients and documented by the supervising dentist as a part of the dental hygiene school curriculum prior to graduation and initial licensure or after successful completion of a postgraduate continuing education course taken at a CODA-accredited dental or dental hygiene school.

      1. (c) The board shall issue a permit to each dental hygienist after successful completion of the requirements set forth by the board.

         1. (d) An applicant for a permit shall submit:
   6. (1) A completed board application; and
   7. (2) The application fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

4. (e) The permit to administer local anesthetic agents expires on the date the:

   1. (1) Dental hygienist's license expires; or
   2. (2) Dental hygiene license is revoked or suspended.
5. (f) The permit to administer local anesthesia agents will be renewed when the dental hygienist’s license to practice is renewed.

Codification Notes: "ADA" means American Dental Association. "CODA" means Commission on Dental Accreditation.