Iowa Admin. Code r. 650-20.4

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

Rule 650-20.4 - Scope of practice

(1) In all instances, a dentist assumes responsibility for determining, on the basis of diagnosis, the specific treatment patients will receive and which aspects of treatment may be delegated to qualified personnel as authorized in these rules.

(2) A licensed dentist may delegate to a dental assistant those procedures for which the dental assistant has received training. This delegation shall be based on the best interests of the patient. Such services shall be delegated by and performed under the supervision of a licensed dentist and may include:

a. Placement and removal of dry socket medication;

b. Placement of periodontal dressings;

c. Testing pulp vitality;

d. Preliminary charting of existing dental restorations and teeth;

e. Glucose testing;

f. Phlebotomy; and

g. Expanded function procedures in accordance with 650-Chapter 23.

(3) The dentist shall exercise supervision and shall be fully responsible for all acts performed by a dental assistant. A dentist may not delegate to a dental assistant any of the following, unless allowed pursuant to 650-Chapter 23:

a. Diagnosis, examination, treatment planning, or prescription, including prescription for drugs and medicaments or authorization for restorative, prosthodontic or orthodontic appliances.

b. Surgical procedures on hard and soft tissues within the oral cavity and any other intraoral procedure that contributes to or results in an irreversible alteration to the oral anatomy.

c. Administration of local anesthesia.

d. Placement of sealants.

e. Removal of any plaque, stain, or hard natural or synthetic material except by toothbrush, floss, or rubber cup coronal polish, or removal of any calculus.

f. Dental radiography, unless the assistant is qualified pursuant to 650-Chapter 22.

g. Those procedures that require the professional judgment and skill of a dentist.

(4) A dental assistant may perform duties consistent with these rules under the supervision of a licensed dentist. The specific duties dental assistants may perform are based upon:

a. The education of the dental assistant.

b. The experience of the dental assistant.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 650-20.4

ARC 0465C, IAB 11/28/12, effective 1/2/2013

Amended by IAB June 10, 2015/Volume XXXVII, Number 25, effective 7/15/2015

Amended by IAB December 6, 2017/Volume XL, Number 12, effective 1/10/2018

Amended by IAB September 25, 2019/Volume XLII, Number 7, effective 10/30/2019