Wyo. Code R. 034-0001-7
Dental Examiners, Board of
Chapter 7: Dental Auxiliaries
Effective Date: 04/15/2013 to 11/03/2015
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 034.0001.7.04152013
Section 1. Dental Auxiliary Personnel. The following applies to dental auxiliary personnel generally:
(a) No irreversible procedures may be conducted by any dental auxiliary personnel unless otherwise specified.
Section 2. Practice of Dental Hygiene and Supervision Required. The following applies to the practice of Dental Hygiene:
(a) A dental hygienist shall work under the supervision of a qualified, Wyoming licensed dentist.
(b) Each dental hygienist is responsible for maintaining a high degree of proficiency in the practice of dental hygiene which is consistent with current educational standards of the profession.
(c) Dental hygienists may work in the private office of a licensed dentist, in the Armed Forces of the United States, in federal or state institutions, and nursing or retirement facilities.
(d) Dental hygienists are encouraged to promote oral health. They may accomplish this through presentations to schools, institutions, groups, or individuals. In no event should these presentations be used for the purpose of advertising or soliciting patients for himself/herself or a dentist.
(e) The following is a list of procedures that may be performed by a dental hygienist and the type of supervision required:
(i) General Supervision:
(A) Community dental health activities.
(B) Functions that are authorized for dental assistants set forth in rules or prescribed duties promulgated by the board.
(C) Root plane, scale and polish teeth.
(D) Polish amalgams and composites.
(E) Screen the oral cavity for disease.
(F) Place temporary fillings which require no removal of tooth structure.
(G) Place, expose and process radiographs.
(H) Place pit and fissure sealants.
(I) Apply subgingival anesthetic (i.e. Oraqix) if the dental hygienist holds a local anesthetic expanded duty certificate.
(J) Perform any related procedures required in the practice of the above duties.
(ii) Direct Supervision:
(A) Prepare, place and remove periodontal packs.
(B) Remove overhanging margins.
(C) Treat diagnosed dry sockets.
(D) Treat diagnosed pericoronitis.
(E) Perform whitening procedures.
(a) Expanded dental duties are to be performed under the direct supervision of a qualified Wyoming licensed dentist.
(b) A dental hygienist must meet educational standards and pass an examination approved by the Board, in a manner satisfactory to the Board, to obtain an expanded duty certificate.
(c) Training programs will be approved in advance in writing by the Board. Due to the varied programs, individual courses will require individual approval after course content is reviewed by the Board.
(d) The following is a list of accepted expanded duties:
(i) Administer local anesthetics.
(ii) Administer and monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen.
(iii) Place, carve and finish amalgam and composite restorations for existing certificate holders. No new certificates are being granted at this time.
(iv) Use lasers to provide soft tissue therapy within the dental hygienists scope of practice. Dental hygienists may not use lasers at settings intended to cut/remove hard tissue or tooth structure.
(e) The candidate will be required to provide proof of, in writing, directly from the course administrator, satisfactory completion of the expanded function course for which the candidate was trained. In the case of use of lasers, the candidate will provide proof of certification from the Academy of Laser Dentistry or other Board approved program. Programs will be continually evaluated by the Board. Candidates for laser certification must receive approval from the Board for their proposed course/program PRIOR to taking the course/program. Candidates who do not do so run the risk of taking a course that does not meet Board approval and does not result in an expanded duty certificate for laser use.
(f) An in-person evaluation for certification of expanded duties may be required by the Board to ascertain the candidate's knowledge of the duties that the candidate wishes to be certified to perform.
Section 4. Dental Assistants. The following applies to all dental assistants:
(a) A dentist holding a current Wyoming license may employ persons designated as 'Dental Assistants'. They may be trained by their employer or by an accredited school for dental assistants.
(b) The following is a list of procedures that may be performed by dental assistants and the type of supervision required:
(i) General Supervision:
(I) Remove broken bands, brackets, wires and appliances in emergency situations or as needed for operative or prophylactic purposes.
(A) Take impressions other than final or master impressions and/or digital scan impressions.
(B) Apply topical medications, excluding pit and fissure sealants.
(C) Mix dental materials to be used by the dentist.
(D) Place radiographs, but exposure may only be permitted if the criteria set forth in Section 5 of this Chapter have been met.
(E) Insert arch wires that have been adjusted by the dentist into the brackets or attachments and secure in place.
(A) Remove sutures.
(B) Assist the dentist in all operative and surgical procedures.
(C) Place and remove rubber dams.
(D) Place and remove matrices.
(E) Remove excess cement from the coronal surfaces of the teeth.
(F) Prepare and remove periodontal packs.
(G) Polish the surfaces of the teeth, rubber cup only. A procedure performed by a dental assistant under this subsection may not be billed as a prophylaxis.
(H) Perform whitening procedures not to include irreversible procedures such as etching and sandblasting.
(I) Place and remove orthodontic wires and/or appliances that have been activated by the dentist.
(J) Take impressions for retainers and removable appliances.
(K) Remove direct bond attachments and bands.
(L) Place pit fissure sealants per Section 6 (Board certificate required).
(c) The following procedures may not be performed by dental assistants:
(i) Remove tooth structure.
(ii) Diagnose for treatment.
(iii) Remove chemically bonded attachments.
(iv) May not take final impressions either digital or conventional or deliver a permanent prosthesis of any type.
(d) Procedures that must be done by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist:
(i) Any procedure billed as a prophylaxis.
Section 5. Exposure of Radiographs by Dental Assistants. As of July 1, 1991, permits to place and expose radiographs by dental assistants under the indirect supervision of a licensed dentist will be issued after one of the following requirements (is) satisfied:
(a) The assistant has completed an American Dental Association or Board approved course in dental radiography.
(b) The assistant has at least three (3) years experience with a minimum of 1000 hours per year in the last four (4) years before July 1, 1990, and can demonstrate proficiency.
(c) The assistant is engaged in a course for radiologic technology, dental hygiene or dental assisting on July 1, 1990, who has completed the course or has completed a twenty-four (24) month course in radiologic technology within two (2) years before July 1, 1990, and can demonstrate proficiency.
(d) The assistant has been licensed by other states or certifying groups whose requirements are at least as stringent as those set forth by these rules.
(e) A dental assistant should complete a course of instruction approved in accordance with the requirements of this section. The Board shall accept, in lieu of such course, the satisfactory completion of the Radiation Health and Safety examination given by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. and any educational requirements as may be recommended by the Board.
The applicant must provide proof of satisfactory completion of a requirement, along with proof of lawful presence. Both must be sent directly to the Board office prior to issuance of permit.
Section 6. Placement of Pit and Fissure Sealants by Dental Assistants. The board shall issue a Pit and Fissure Sealant Certificate to a dental assistant who qualifies under this section. The cost of this certificate shall be determined by the board. Assistants from other states who have a certificate shall have their qualifications reviewed by the board to obtain a Wyoming certificate. To qualify for this certificate an applicant must:
(a) Have successfully completed a minimum of eight hours of clinical and didactic education in pit and fissure sealants. This should be taken through an accredited dental hygiene program or a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the ADA and/or approved by the board.
(b) The education program must include:
1. Infection Control
2. Microbiology
3. Chemistry
4. Dental anatomy
5. Ethics related to pit and fissure sealant application
6. Jurisprudence related to pit and fissure sealant application
7. Correct application of sealants, include the actual clinical application of sealants
8. Successful completion of post-course test with minimum score of 75.
Section 7. Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists. Each dental hygienist practicing in the state of Wyoming shall subscribe to the following:
(a) To provide oral health care utilizing highest professional knowledge, judgment, and ability.
(b) To serve all patients without discrimination.
(c) To hold professional patient relationships in confidence.
(d) To utilize every opportunity to increase public understanding of oral health practices.
(e) To generate public confidence in members of the dental health profession.
(f) To cooperate with all health professions in meeting the health needs of the public.
(g) To recognize and uphold the laws and regulations governing this profession.
(h) To maintain professional competence through continuing education.
(i) To exchange professional knowledge with other health professions.
(j) To represent dental hygiene with high standards of personal conduct.
(k) The Board holds any licensee under its jurisdiction to the entire contents of the American Dental Hygiene Association Code of Ethics (ADHACE). The ADHACE as issued and amended as of April 1, 2012, is hereby adopted as if fully set forth herein. Incorporation of the full text of the ADHACE in these rules would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. These Rules do not include any later amendments or editions of the ADHACE past April 1, 2012. Copies of the ADHACE are available for public inspection at the Board of Dental Examiners, 2800 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002. Copies of the ADHACE are available at cost from the Board of Dental Examiners.
Section 8. Code of Ethics for Dental Assistants. Each dental assistant practicing in the state of Wyoming shall subscribe to the following:
(k) The Board holds any dental assistant under its jurisdiction to the entire contents of the Dental Assisting National Board's Code of Professional Conduct (DANBCPC). The DANBCPC as issued and amended as of April 1, 2012, is hereby adopted as if fully set forth herein. Incorporation of the full text of the DANBCPC in these rules would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. These Rules do not include any later amendments or editions of the DANBCPC past April 1, 2012. Copies of the DANBCPC are available for public inspection at the Board of Dental Examiners, 2800 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002. Copies of the DANBCPC are available at cost from the Board of Dental Examiners.