§ 5-31.1-31 - Dental assistant – Definition – Practices allowed. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 5-31.1-31

   § 5-31.1-31  Dental assistant –Definition – Practices allowed. – (a) As used in this chapter, a "dental assistant" is any person not licensedunder the provisions of this chapter who performs dental services, procedures,or duties in aid of a licensed and registered dentist.

   (b) No dental assistant shall perform any service, procedure,or duty which constitutes the practice of dentistry unless authorized by rulesand regulations adopted by the board of examiners in dentistry, and unless thatdental service, procedure, or duty is performed under the supervision of adentist licensed and registered in this state. The board of examiners indentistry shall establisheany classification of dental assistants that arerecognized by the American Dental Assistants Association, and to each class theboard applies any of the rules and regulations permitted under this sectionthat the board deems appropriate.

   (c) Nothing in this section is construed to authorize adental assistant to perform the following: diagnosis and treatment planning,surgical procedures on hard or soft tissue, prescribe medication, or administerinjectable and/or general anesthesia.