Section Den 401.01 - Assistants' Duties(a) A dental assistant shall perform the following duties under general supervision, as defined in Den 101.11 and arranged by degree of supervision in Den 302.02: (1) Sterilize instruments;(2) Organize and arrange instruments on bracket tables;(3) Seat patient, place protective materials or garments including the lubrication of such patient's lips;(4) Reorganize instruments and equipment after the patient has departed;(5) Process dental radiographs;(6) Function as a dental laboratory technician;(7) Perform tests on saliva;(8) Train or instruct groups or individual patients in techniques of oral hygiene and mouth care; and(9) Take the blood pressure of a patient.(b) A dental assistant shall perform the following duties under direct supervision, as defined in Den 101.10 and arranged by degree of supervision in Den 302.02: (1) Retract a patient's cheek, tongue or other oral tissues during a dental operation;(2) Assist with the placement or removal of a rubber dam and accessories used for its placement and retention, as directed by an operating dentist during the course of a dental operation;(3) Remove such debris as is normally created or accumulated during the course of treatment being rendered by a licensed dentist by the use of vacuum devices, compressed air, mouth washes and water; and(4) Place cotton rolls and topical anesthesia prior to delivery of local anesthesia by a dentist or dental hygienist.(c) Before qualifying to perform the duties delineated in Den 401.01(d), any dental assistant, other than a certified dental assistant or graduate dental assistant, shall qualify in infection control in the dental office as stated in Den 302.06(b).(d) A dental assistant shall perform the following duties pursuant to the definition of "Public Health Supervision" as set forth in Den 302.02(d)(2) to assist a CPHDH: (1) Process and sterilize instruments and perform infection control;(2) Organize and arrange instruments on bracket tables;(3) Seat patient, place protective materials or garments including the lubrication of such patient's lips;(4) Reorganize instruments and equipment after the patient has departed the healthcare facility;(5) Process dental radiographs;(6) Train or instruct groups or individual patients in techniques of oral hygiene and mouth care;(7) Retract a patient's cheek, tongue or other oral tissues during a dental hygiene and remove such debris as is normally created or accumulated during the course of treatment being rendered by a CPHDH by the use of vacuum devices, compressed air, mouthwashes and water; and(8) Assist with the placement or removal of a rubber dam and accessories used for its placement and retention, as directed by an operating CPHDH during the course of a dental hygiene operation.(e) If qualified pursuant to Den 302.06, a dental assistant shall be eligible to: (1) Take dental and medical histories;(2) Apply topical fluoride after prophylaxis by a licensed professional;(3) Apply non-prescription topical anesthesia;(4) Apply non-prescription desensitizing agents to the cementum and dentin;(5) Take and record blood pressure;(6) Select impression trays, seat, hold, remove, and pour impressions for study models, single arch athletic mouth guards, and custom fluoride trays;(7) Insert athletic mouth guards;(8) Perform dental radiography;(9) Pit and fissure sealants;(10) Perform coronal polishing; and(11) Conduct preliminary oral inspection.N.H. Admin. Code § Den 401.01
#287.2, eff 1-17-74; ss by #2981, eff 2-28-85; amd by #4298, eff 7-28-87; ss by #5110, eff 4-4-91, EXPIRED: 4-4-97
New. #6909, eff 12-9-98; amd by #7970, eff 10-10-03; amd by #8584, eff 3-16-06; ss by #8838, eff 3-9-07; amd by #8963, eff 8-16-07
Amended byVolume XXXV Number 10, Filed March 12, 2015, Proposed by #10794, Effective 3/7/2015, Expires3/7/2025.Amended by Volume XXXVI Number 01, Filed January 7, 2016, Proposed by #10991, Effective 12/9/2015, Expires 12/9/2025.Amended by Volume XXXVII Number 50, Filed December 14, 2017, Proposed by #12428, Effective 12/6/2017, Expires 12/6/2027.