Those procedures that require the professional education and skill of a dentist and shall not be delegated to a dental hygienist include:

1. (1) performing comprehensive examination, diagnosis, and treatment planning;
2. (2) performing surgical or cutting procedures on hard or soft tissues, including laser, air abrasion, or micro-abrasion procedures;
3. (3) placing or removing therapeutic sulcular nonresorbable agents;
4. (4) issuing prescription drugs, medications, or work authorizations;
5. (5) performing the final placement or intraoral adjustment of a fixed or removable appliance;
6. (6) performing intraoral occlusal adjustments that affect function, fit, or occlusion of any temporary or permanent restoration or appliance;
7. (7) performing direct pulp capping or pulpotomy;
8. (8) placing sutures;
9. (9) performing final placement or cementation of orthodontic bands or brackets;
10. (10) performing the placement or cementation of final restorations;

11. (11) administering any anesthetic by any route except the administration of:

    1. (a) topically-applied agents intended to anesthetize only cutaneous tissue; or
    2. (b) local anesthetics by dental hygienists certified in accordance with G.S. 90-221(a) and this Section, and administered under the direct supervision of a North Carolina licensed dentist;
12. (12) using a high-speed handpiece intraorally;
13. (13) performing cementation of endodontic posts;
14. (14) condensing Amalgam;
15. (15) using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit;
16. (16) applying formocresol;
17. (17) placing stainless steel crown on permanent or primary teeth;
18. (18) performing pulp vitality testing;
19. (19) performing curettage;
20. (20) placing periodontal or surgical dressing;
21. (21) performing oral brush biopsy;
22. (22) taking bite registration or elastometrics;
23. (23) placing eugenol wick in dry socket;
24. (24) fabricating or delivering sleep apnea appliance;
25. (25) removing, replacing, or torqueing either impression or prosthetic implant abutments; and
26. (26) administering any sedation or general anesthesia pharmacological agents, including drawing a dosage into a syringe.

History Note: Authority G.S. 90‑221(a); 90‑223(b);
Eff. September 3, 1976;
Readopted Eff. September 26, 1977;
Amended Eff. August 1, 2016; August 1, 2008; August 1, 2000; May 1, 1989; March 1, 1985;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 9, 2018;
Amended Eff. July 1, 2022; September 1, 2020; April 1, 2018.