Dental Examiners, Board of

Dental Examiners, Board of

Chapter 7: Dental Auxiliaries

Effective Date: 12/05/2005 to 04/15/2013

Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 034.0001.7.12052005

CHAPTER 7

DENTAL AUXILIARIES

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) Each dental hygienist is responsible for maintaining a high degree of proficiency in the practice of dental hygiene and for keeping up with current educational standards of the profession.

(b) A dental hygienist shall work under the supervision of a qualified dentist.

(c) Dental hygienists may work in the private office of a 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 through lectures. They may accomplish this through talks to schools, institutions, groups, or individuals when asked. In no event should these appearances 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) Scaling and polishing of teeth.

(D) Polishing amalgams and composites.

(E) Conduct screening examination of the oral cavity for oral disease.

(F) Placement of temporary fillings which require no removal of tooth structure.

(G) Root planing.

(H) Place and expose radiographs. (I) Process radiographs. (J) Perform any related procedures required in the practice of the above duties. (ii) Indirect Supervision: (A) Place pit and fissure sealants (iii) Direct Supervision: (A) Preparing, placing, and removing periodontal packs. (B) Removal of overhanging margins. (C) Treatment of diagnosed dry socket (D) Treatment of diagnosed pericoronitis. (E) Expanded dental duties are to be performed under the direct supervision of a qualified dentist.

Section 3. Expanded Dental Duties.

(a) A dental hygienist must meet educational standards and pass an examination approved by the Board, in a manner satisfactory to the Board, for which an expanded duty certificate will be issued for that specific duty.

(b) 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.

(c) The following is a list of accepted expanded duties:

(i) Administration of local anesthetics. (ii) Administration and monitoring of nitrous oxide analgesia.

(iii) Any present licenses held for placing, carving and finishing amalgams and composites will be grandfathered in.

(d) The candidate will be required to provide proof, in writing, directly from the course administrator, satisfactory completion of the expanded function course for which the candidate was trained.

(e) An oral 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:

1. (A) Take vital statistics and health histories.
2. (B) Mix dental materials to be used by the dentist.
3. (C) Instruct patients in proper dental health care.
4. (D) Process radiographs.

(ii) Indirect Supervision:

1. (A) Take study model impressions.
2. (B) Apply topical medications, excluding pit and fissure sealants.
3. (C) Place and expose radiographs if the criteria set forth in Section 5 of this Chapter have been met.

(iii) Direct Supervision:

1. (A) Remove sutures.
2. (B) Assist the dentist in all operative and surgical procedures.
3. (C) Place and remove rubber dams.
4. (D) Place and remove matrices.
5. (E) Remove excess cement from the coronal surfaces of the teeth.
6. (F) Prepare and remove periodontal packs.

(G) Polish the surfaces of the teeth, rubber cup only. (H) Orthodontic procedures involving the following:

1. Tying ligature wires and/or elastic ties.

2. Removing of ligature wire and/or elastic ties.

3. Placement and removal of orthodontic wires and/or appliance that have been activated by the dentist.

4. Take impressions for orthodontic retainers and removable orthodontic appliances.

5. Removal of orthodontic bands.

6. Placement and removal of orthodontic separators. (I) The following orthodontic procedures may not be performed by dental assistants:

1. Removal of tooth structure for the placement of orthodontic appliances.

2. Activate an orthodontic appliance.

3. Diagnosis for orthodontic treatment.

4. Remove direct bond attachments. (J) Procedures that must be done by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist:

1. Any procedure billed as a prophylaxis.

Section 5. Placement and 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 are 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 certification examination given by the American Dental Assistants Association 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. Code of Ethics for Dental Auxiliaries. Each dental hygienist practicing in the state of Wyoming shall subscribe to the following:

1. (a) To provide oral health care utilizing highest professional knowledge, judgment, and ability.
2. (b) To serve all patients without discrimination.
3. (c) To hold professional patient relationships in confidence.
4. (d) To utilize every opportunity to increase public understanding of oral health practices.
5. (e) To generate public confidence in members of the dental health profession.
6. (f) To cooperate with all health professions in meeting the health needs of the public.
7. (g) To recognize and uphold the laws and regulations governing this profession.
8. (h) To maintain professional competence through continuing education.
9. (i) To exchange professional knowledge with other health professions.
10. (j) To represent dental hygiene with high standards of personal conduct.