Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-220-501
Tasks authorized to be performed by dental therapists, dental hygienists, or dental assistants - rules.
Effective Aug 6, 2025L. 2020: Entire article amended with relocations, (HB 20-1056), ch. 64, p. 252, § 1, effective September 14. L. 2021: (1)(a)(II)(B) and (1)(a)(II)(C) amended and (1)(a)(II)(D) repealed, (SB 21-102), ch. 31, p. 127, § 5, effective September 1. L. 2022: (1)(a)(I) amended and (2.5) added, (SB 22-219), ch. 381, p. 2708, § 5, effective January 1, 2023. L. 2025: (1)(a), (3)(a)(VI), IP(3)(b), and (3)(b)(III) amended and (2) repealed, (SB 25-194), ch. 171, p. 703, § 20, effective August 6.
(1)
- (a) The responsibility for dental diagnosis, dental treatment planning, or the prescription of therapeutic measures in the practice of dentistry remains with a licensed dentist and may not be assigned to a dental therapist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant.
- (b) A dental procedure that involves surgery or that will contribute to or result in an irremediable alteration of the oral anatomy shall not be assigned to anyone other than a licensed dentist.
- (2) Repealed.
- (2.5) A dental therapist may perform a dental task or procedure assigned to the dental therapist by a licensed dentist that does not require the professional skill of a licensed dentist; except that the dental therapist may perform the task or procedure only under the supervision authorized under section 12-220-508.
(3)
(a) A dental assistant shall not perform the following tasks:
- (I) Diagnosis;
- (II) Treatment planning;
- (III) Prescription of therapeutic measures;
- (IV) Any procedure that contributes to or results in an irremediable alteration of the oral anatomy;
- (V) Administration of local anesthesia;
- (VI) Scaling (supra and sub-gingival);
- (VII) Root planing;
- (VIII) Soft tissue curettage;
- (IX) Periodontal probing.
(b) A dental assistant may perform the following tasks under the indirect supervision of a licensed dentist or the direct supervision of a licensed dental therapist or a licensed dental hygienist:
- (I) Smoothing and polishing natural and restored tooth surfaces;
- (II) Provision of preventive measures, including the application of fluorides and other recognized topical agents for the prevention of oral disease;
- (III) Gathering and assembling information, including but not limited to fact-finding and patient history, oral inspection, and recording of dental and periodontal charting as dictated by a licensee;
- (IV) Administering topical anesthetic to a patient in the course of providing dental care;
- (V) Repairing and relining dentures pursuant to a dental laboratory work order signed by a licensed dentist; or
- (VI) Any other task or procedure that does not require the professional skill of a licensed dentist.
- (c) A dental assistant may, under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in accordance with rules promulgated by the board, administer and monitor the use of nitrous oxide on a patient.
(d)
(I) A dental assistant may perform intraoral and extraoral tasks and procedures necessary for the fabrication of a complete or partial denture under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. These tasks and procedures shall include:
- (A) Making of preliminary and final impressions;
- (B) Jaw relation records and determination of vertical dimensions;
- (C) Tooth selection;
- (D) A preliminary try-in of the wax-up trial denture prior to and subject to a try-in and approval in writing of the wax-up trial denture by the licensed dentist;
- (E) Denture adjustments that involve the periphery, occlusal, or tissue-bearing surfaces of the denture prior to the final examination of the denture.
- (II) If a dental assistant is performing the tasks and procedures specified in subsection (3)(d)(I) of this section, the dental assistant shall perform the tasks and procedures in the regularly announced office location of a licensed practicing dentist, and the dentist is personally liable for all treatment rendered to the patient. A dental assistant performing these tasks and procedures shall be properly identified as a dental assistant. A dentist shall not utilize more dental assistants than the number of dental assistants the dentist can reasonably supervise.
- (III) Prior to any work being performed pursuant to subsection (3)(d)(I) of this section, the treating dentist licensed to practice in this state shall first examine the patient and certify that the patient has no pathologic condition that requires surgical correction or other treatment prior to complete denture service.
- (4) The board may adopt reasonable rules as necessary to implement and enforce this section.
Source: L. 2020: Entire article amended with relocations, (HB 20-1056), ch. 64, p. 252, § 1, effective September 14. L. 2021: (1)(a)(II)(B) and (1)(a)(II)(C) amended and (1)(a)(II)(D) repealed, (SB 21-102), ch. 31, p. 127, § 5, effective September 1. L. 2022: (1)(a)(I) amended and (2.5) added, (SB 22-219), ch. 381, p. 2708, § 5, effective January 1, 2023. L. 2025: (1)(a), (3)(a)(VI), IP(3)(b), and (3)(b)(III) amended and (2) repealed, (SB 25-194), ch. 171, p. 703, § 20, effective August 6.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-220-127 as it existed prior to 2020.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-219, see section 1 of chapter 381, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.