18.29.050 - Scope of licensee's functions -- Employment -- Supervision. - Washington Statutes

Scope of licensee's functions — Employment — Supervision.

Any person licensed as a dental hygienist in this state may remove deposits and stains from the surfaces of the teeth, may apply topical preventive or prophylactic agents, may polish and smooth restorations, may perform root planing and soft-tissue curettage, and may perform other dental operations and services delegated to them by a licensed dentist: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That licensed dental hygienists shall in no event perform the following dental operations or services:

     (1) Any surgical removal of tissue of the oral cavity;

     (2) Any prescription of drugs or medications requiring the written order or prescription of a licensed dentist or physician, except that a hygienist may place antimicrobials pursuant to the order of a licensed dentist and under the dentist's required supervision;

     (3) Any diagnosis for treatment or treatment planning; or

     (4) The taking of any impression 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.

     Such licensed dental hygienists may perform dental operations and services only under the supervision of a licensed dentist, and under such supervision may be employed by hospitals, boards of education of public or private schools, county boards, boards of health, or public or charitable institutions, or in dental offices.

[2003 c 257 § 1; 1997 c 37 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 235 § 1; 1969 c 47 § 4; 1923 c 16 § 27; RRS § 10030-27.]