Section 5.07 - Dental Hygiene Practice and Public Health Dental Hygienist Practice(1) A dental hygienist may provide dental services which are educational, therapeutic, prophylactic and preventive in nature as may be authorized by the Board and may perform all tasks performed by a dental assistant under the specific type of supervision set forth in 234 CMR 5.11. A dental hygienist or public health dental hygienist may not perform acts or services which require diagnosis and treatment planning for non-dental hygiene services, surgical or cutting procedures on hard or soft tissue, and/or the prescription of medications, unless specifically authorized in 234 CMR 5.07 and 5.12.(2)Educational Requirements for Public Health Dental Hygiene Practice. (a) Prior to practicing as a public health dental hygienist pursuant to 234 CMR 2.03: Definitions and 5.08, a dental hygienist shall successfully complete a minimum of ten hours of continuing education as follows: 1.A minimum of six hours of hands-on experience in a public health setting. A dental hygienist who has documentation demonstrating a minimum of six hours of hands on experience in a public health setting between January 1, 2005 and August 20, 2010 shall be deemed to have fulfilled this requirement.2.Successful completion, within 24 months prior to commencement of practice as a public health dental hygienist, of continuing education in each of the following areas: a.CDC Guidelines ( 234 CMR 2.00: Purpose, Authority, Definitions);b.Risk Management for practice in a public health setting; andc.Management of medical emergencies. (b) The public health dental hygienist shall permanently retain documentation demonstrating compliance with 234 CMR 5.07(2)(a) and 5.08.(3) A public health dental hygienist practicing in a public health setting may perform those dental services which are authorized by the Board pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 51, to be provided in a public health setting, pursuant to a written collaborative agreement (WCA) that complies with requirements described in 234 CMR 5.08 including a signed affidavit that confirms successful completion of the continuing education required in 234 CMR 5.07(2).(4) A registered dental hygienist practicing in a public health setting may provide dental hygiene services, including placement of sealants, without first having a dentist examine the patient, either pursuant to a written collaborative agreement (WCA) that complies with requirements described in 234 CMR 5.08, or pursuant to a standing order under the general supervision of a dentist licensed pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 45.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1266, eff. 8/1/2014.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1271, eff. 10/10/2014.