Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prevent the practice of medicine by a licensed physician or the administration of anaesthesia by those persons otherwise qualified by law to do so; or to prevent the performance of official duties by commissioned dental or medical officers of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Veterans' Administration, or United States Public Health Service; or to prevent any person from teaching or demonstrating dentistry or related procedures at a dental society meeting or at a dental convention or at an accredited dental college; or to prevent a licensed dentist of another state or country from performing duties in connection with a specific case for which he is called into the State by a dentist licensed in this State; or to prevent dental students from performing dental procedures under the supervision of instructors in any dental school in this State accredited by the Commission; or to require a license for interns or residents enrolled in an intern or residency training program approved by the Commission; or prevent licensed dental hygienists or registered dental technicians from teaching in programs accredited by the Commission.

1. (a) the intra-oral procedures relative to such work are performed by a licensed dentist; and
2. (b) the work is performed by or under the direction and control of a licensed dentist and on his premises, or by or under the direction and control of a registered dental or orthodontic technician present on the premises, provided, however, that orthodontic work performed under the direction and control of a registered orthodontic technician is limited to orthodontic technological work; and

3. (c) the work is performed pursuant to a properly executed work authorization, as described elsewhere in this chapter, if the work is to be done by or under the direction and control of a registered dental or orthodontic technician.

   Nothing in this chapter prevents a certified or qualified dental assistant or licensed dental hygienist from taking impressions for dental study casts under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist present on the premises.

   Unlicensed personnel in a dental office may perform those tasks as authorized by the board and for which minimal training standards and qualifications are established by regulation. All tasks permitted to be performed by other than licensed personnel must be under the direct supervision of a dentist present on the premises and licensed in South Carolina.

   Licensed dental hygienists employed within the public health system may provide education and primary preventive care which is reversible and noninvasive. Primary preventive care and education are defined as promotion and protection of health to avoid occurrence of disease through communitywide and individual measures or improvements in lifestyle. These services are to be performed under the direction and control of the State Director of Public Health Dentistry but do not require that the director be present when authorized services are provided. If a licensed dentist is available, an examination and diagnosis must be made by him before a sealant is placed on a tooth.

   Certified dental assistants employed within the public health system may assist in public health program activities as authorized by the State Director of Public Health Dentistry. These duties must be performed under the direction and control of the State Director of Public Health Dentistry but do not require that the director be present when authorized duties are performed.

   Licensed dental hygienists and certified dental assistants within the public health system may perform other duties authorized by regulations of the State Board of Dentistry.

A dentist licensed in another state teaching in a dental college in South Carolina accredited by the Commission is exempt from the licensure requirement unless he engages in the intramural or private practice of dentistry.

Nothing in this chapter prevents a person from making roentgenograms or X-ray exposures under the supervision of a licensed dentist or prevents persons licensed to practice dental hygiene from performing an intra-oral dental hygiene procedure if it is performed under the direction and control of a licensed dentist present on the premises.

Nothing in this chapter prevents a person from performing dental or orthodontic technological work if: