Wyo. Code R. 034-0001-7
Dental Examiners, Board of
Chapter 7: Dental Auxiliaries
Effective Date: 01/14/2022 to 04/14/2023
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 034.0001.7.01142022
Section 1. Authority. The Board is authorized under Wyoming Statute 33-15-119, 33-15-129(a), 33-15-123, and the WAPA to promulgate rules and regulations related to the application and licensure procedures to practice of dental hygiene and dental auxiliaries in Wyoming.
Section 2. Statement of Purpose. These Board Rules are adopted to implement the Board's authority to regulate the practice of dental hygiene and other dental auxiliaries.
Section 3. Dental Auxiliary Personnel. Except as otherwise provided, dental auxiliary personnel shall not perform irreversible procedures.
(a) The dental hygienist shall:
(i) Work under the supervision of a Wyoming licensed dentist; and
(ii) Be responsible for maintaining a high degree of proficiency in the practice of dental hygiene that is consistent with current educational standards of the profession.
(b) 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, in public health settings, and nursing or retirement facilities.
(c) 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.
(a) General Supervision. The following procedures require general supervision:
(i) Community dental health activities which includes public health services at federally funded health centers and clinics; nursing homes; extended care facilities; home health agencies; group homes for the elderly, disabled and youth; public health offices; Women, Infants, and Children; Head Start programs; child development programs; early intervention programs; migrant work facilities; free clinics; health fairs; public and private schools; state and county correctional institutions; community school-based prevention programs; and public health vans.
(A) Public health services solely consist of prophylaxis, topical fluoride applications, oral health education, and dental screenings. These services can be provided by the hygienist without prior authorization of the dentist. All patients seen shall be referred to a dentist annually.
(B) The hygienist shall maintain a Collaboration Agreement with a Wyoming licensed dentist. The hygienist must have a current Wyoming dental hygienist license with a minimum of two (2) years clinical experience.
(ii) Duties authorized for dental assistants set forth in the Board Rules; (iii) Root plane, scale and polish teeth; (iv) Polish amalgams and composites; (v) Screen the oral cavity for disease; (vi) Place temporary fillings that require no removal of tooth structure; (vii) Place, expose, and process radiographic images; (viii) Place pit and fissure sealants and silver diamine fluoride; and (ix) Apply subgingival anesthetic (i.e. Oraqix) if the dental hygienist holds a local anesthetic expanded duties permit.
(b) Direct Supervision. The following procedures require direct supervision: (i) Prepare, place, and remove periodontal packs; (ii) Remove overhanging margins; (iii) Treat diagnosed dry sockets; (iv) Treat diagnosed pericoronitis; (v) Perform whitening procedures; and (vi) Perform expanded dental duties.
Section 6. Expanded Duties Permits.
(a) Permit. To obtain an expanded duties permit, a dental hygienist shall meet educational standards, or pass an examination approved by the Board, or both. Applicant shall submit a completed application for each duty.
(i) Training programs shall be approved in advance in writing by the Board. Due to the varied programs, individual courses shall require individual approval after course content is reviewed by the Board.
(ii) Applicant shall provide evidence of satisfactory completion of each expanded duties course.
(iii) In the case of use of lasers, the applicant shall provide proof of certification from the Academy of Laser Dentistry or completion of a laser course through a CODA accredited dental hygiene program.
(iv) An in-person evaluation for an expanded duties permit may be required by the Board to ascertain the applicant’s knowledge of the expanded duties that the applicant wishes to be permitted to perform.
(c) Expanded Duties. The following may be performed by a dental hygienist with an appropriate expanded duties permit:
(i) Administer local anesthetics;
(ii) Administer and monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen; or
(iii) Use lasers to provide soft tissue therapy within the dental hygienists scope of practice. Dental hygienists shall NOT use lasers at settings intended to cut/remove hard tissue or tooth structure.
(a) Dental Assistant. 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 or Board approved program for dental assistants.
(b) General Supervision. The following procedures require general supervision:
(i) Take vital statistics and health histories;
(ii) Instruct patients in proper dental health care;
(iii) Process radiographs;
(iv) Fabricate and cement temporary crowns;
(v) Replace ligature wires and/or place elastic ties;
(x) Take impressions for orthodontic procedures, i.e. retainers and removable appliances;
(xi) Remove direct bond attachments and bands;
(xii) Place pit and fissure sealants; and
(xiii) Treat diagnosed dry socket.
(e) Prohibitions. The following procedures may not be performed by dental assistants:
(i) Remove tooth structure;
(ii) Diagnose for treatment;
(iii) Take final impressions either digital or conventional or deliver a permanent prosthesis of any type;
(iv) Any procedure billed as a dental prophylaxis;
(v) Use high speed handpiece intraorally; or
(vi) Use low speed handpiece intraorally, except for coronal polishing.
(a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek a permit to expose dental radiographs under the indirect supervision of a dentist, if the applicant demonstrates competency.
(b) Application Requirements. Applicant shall:
(i) Submit a completed application and payment of fee; and
(ii) Demonstrate competency by submitting evidence the applicant has:
(A) Completed a course or examination in dental radiography approved by the Board within one (1) year immediately prior to the date of application; or
(B) Been authorized to expose dental radiographs in another jurisdiction within the last five (5) years.
(c) Renewal. A permit to expose radiographs shall expire December 31 every second year, unless renewed.
(d) Late Renewal. A permit to expose radiographs that was not timely renewed may be renewed within five (5) years of the date the permit expired by submitting a late renewal application and the late fee. After five (5) years, the assistant must reapply and document completion of a new radiography course within one (1) year immediately prior to the date of application.
(a) Eligibility. An applicant may apply for a pit and fissure sealant permit if the applicant has successfully completed a Board approved course which may include:
(i) Board approved course meeting the requirements identified in subsection (c); or
(ii) CODA accredited dental hygiene program or a dental assisting program.
(b) Application Requirements. Applicant shall submit:
(i) Completed application and payment of fee; and
(ii) Completed checklist demonstrating competency and completion of course within one (1) year immediately prior to the date of application.
(c) Education. The education program shall include:
(i) Didactic Education including:
(A) Infection Control;
(B) Microbiology;
(C) Chemistry;
(D) Dental anatomy;
(E) Ethics related to pit and fissure sealant application;
(F) Jurisprudence related to pit and fissure sealant application; and
(ii) Clinical Instruction including supervised application of sealants.
(d) Renewal. A permit to place pit and fissure sealants shall expire December 31 every second year, unless renewed.
(e) Late Renewal. A permit to place pit and fissure sealants that was not timely renewed may be renewed within five (5) years of the date the permit expired by submitting a late renewal application and the late fee. After five (5) years, the assistant must reapply and document completion of a new pit and fissure training course within one (1) year immediately prior to the date of application.
Section 10. Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants. Each dental hygienist and dental assistant practicing in the state of Wyoming shall: