Md. Code Regs. 10.44.01.02

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 10.44.01.02 - Exceptions

A. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a dental assistant may provide the following dental assisting duties under the general supervision of a dentist for a dental sealant program:

(1) Instructing on oral hygiene;

(2) Cleaning and disinfecting environmental surfaces and equipment;

(3) Preparing materials for the application of sealants;

(4) Retracting lips, cheek, and tongue;

(5) Placing and removing materials for the isolation of the dentition, if the material is not retained by the dentition;

(6) Transferring instruments and sealants to a dentist or dental hygienist;

(7) Rinsing and aspirating of the oral cavity; and

(8) Sterilizing instruments.

B. Under general supervision of a dentist, a dental assistant may only perform the duties enumerated in §A of this regulation:

(1) For a facility that has been granted a waiver of on-site supervision for a dental hygienist under COMAR 10.44.21; and

(2) While assisting a dental hygienist who has received a waiver of on-site supervision under COMAR 10.44.21.

C. A dental assistant who provides dental assistant duties under this regulation shall maintain cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification from one of the following programs:

(1) The American Heart Association's Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers;

(2) The American Red Cross's Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Professional Rescuers; or

(3) An equivalent program approved by the Board.

D. A dental assistant who provides dental assistant duties under this regulation shall have at least 400 hours of dental assisting clinical practice in direct patient care.

E. A dental assistant who provides dental assistant duties under this regulation shall successfully complete a Board - approved course of at least 2 hours in infection control with OSHA protocol if the dental assistant is not:

(1) Certified by the Dental Assisting National Board as qualified in general duties and recognized by the Dental Board as qualified in general duties;

(2) Certified by the Dental Assisting National Board as qualified in orthodontics and recognized by the Dental Board as qualified in orthodontics; or

(3) Certified by the Dental Assisting National Board as a certified dental assistant or certified orthodontic assistant.

F. A facility that uses a dental assistant to provide dental assistant duties under this regulation shall ensure that there is a written agreement between the supervising dentist and the dental assistant practicing under general supervision that clearly sets forth the terms and conditions under which the dental assistant may practice, including a statement that the dental assistant may provide dental assistant duties without the supervising dentist on the premises.

G. Each facility that uses the services of a dental assistant to provide dental assistant duties under this regulation shall maintain for 5 years for inspection by the Board:

(1) The name of the dentist providing general supervision to the dental assistant;

(2) The name and current address of the dental assistant;

(3) The name and address of each institution where the dental assistant provided dental assistant duties; and

(4) The date the dental assistant provided dental assistant duties.

H. This regulation does not affect the duties a dental assistant may lawfully perform under the direct supervision of a dentist under this chapter.

I. A violation of this regulation may result in:

(1) Revocation of the facility's right to operate under a waiver of on-site supervision for dental hygienists; or

(2) Revocation of the facility's right to utilize the services of a dental assistant under this regulation.

J. Penalties.

(1) For violations of this regulation, a dentist or dental assistant is subject to the penalties contained in Regulation .08 of this chapter.

(2) A dental hygienist who uses the services of a dental assistant who is not qualified or for purposes other than what are permitted under this regulation may be found guilty of:

(a) Unprofessional conduct under Health Occupations Article, § 4-315(b)(3), Annotated Code of Maryland; or

(b) Violating any rule or regulation adopted by the Board under Health Occupations Article, § 4-315(b)(9), Annotated Code of Maryland.

Md. Code Regs. 10.44.01.02

Regulation .02 amended effective June 15, 1998 (25:12 Md. R. 947)
Regulation .02 repealed effective June 25, 2001 (28:12 Md. R. 1110)
Regulation .02 adopted effective October 23, 2006 (33:21 Md. R. 1677); amended effective 42:26 Md. R. 1595, eff.1/7/2016