18.260.040 - Dental assistants -- Scope of practice. - Washington Statutes

Dental assistants — Scope of practice.

(1) The commission shall adopt rules relating to the scope of dental assisting services related to patient care and laboratory duties that may be performed by dental assistants. All dental services performed by dental assistants must be performed under the close supervision of a supervising dentist as the dentist may allow.

     (2) In addition to any other limitations established by the commission, dental assistants may not perform the following procedures:

     (a) Any scaling procedure;

     (b) Any oral prophylaxis, except coronal polishing;

     (c) Administration of any general or local anesthetic, including intravenous sedation;

     (d) Any removal of or addition to the hard or soft tissue of the oral cavity;

     (e) Any diagnosis of or prescription for treatment of disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of the human teeth, jaw, or adjacent structures; and

     (f) The taking of any impressions of the teeth or jaw or the relationships of the teeth or jaws, for the purpose of fabricating any intra-oral restoration, appliance, or prosthesis.

     (3) A dentist may not assign a dental assistant to perform duties until the dental assistant has demonstrated skills necessary to perform competently all assigned duties and responsibilities.

[2007 c 269 § 5.]