N.H. Admin. Code § Den 402.01

Current through Register No. 45, November 7, 2024

Section Den 402.01 - Hygienists' Duties

A dental hygienist shall perform the following duties:

(a) Under general supervision, as defined in Den 101.12:

(1) Perform all the duties a dental assistant may perform under Den 401.01 and all the duties a certified dental assistant and graduate dental assistant may perform under Den 401.02;

(2) Perform complete oral prophylaxis as appropriate, including the removal of subgingival biofilm, its by-products, and biofilm retentive calculus deposits by debridement, scaling, and root planing;

(3) Collect and assess medical and dental histories, including documentation of existing and relevant systemic conditions;

(4) Perform extraoral or intraoral assessment, including oral cancer screening, and document all findings;

(5) Assess the hard tissue and document all findings of existing conditions and deviations from normal;

(6) Assess periodontal structures and conditions and document all findings;

(7) Assess occlusion and document all findings;

(8) Make a complete and accurate recording of all assessment findings regarding dental hygiene services relevant to patient care;

(9) Perform dental radiography;

(10) Perform comprehensive collection of patient data to identify the physical and oral health status;

(11) Assess and analyze data collected and determine the patient's dental hygiene treatment needs that a dental hygienist is qualified and licensed to treat;

(12) Establish a dental hygiene care plan that reflects the realistic goals and treatment strategies to facilitate optimal oral health;

(13) Implement a dental hygiene care plan and evaluate dental hygiene treatment for effectiveness;

(14) Place prescribed periodontal antimicrobial agents;

(15) Apply topical preventive and anesthetic agents, including silver diamine fluoride; and

(16) The administration, prescription, and dispensing of a fluoride supplement, topically applied fluoride, and chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse;

(b) Under indirect supervision as defined in Den 101.14, in-office tooth whitening;

(c) Under direct supervision as defined in Den 101.11:

(1) Remove excess restorative material extending beyond the margins of the preparation, to include the use of a low speed hand piece, if necessary;

(2) Place retraction cord;

(3) Place and remove periodontal dressings;

(4) Place temporary restorations, not to include temporary crowns and bridges, unless qualified pursuant to Den 302.05;

(5) Make cytological smears;

(6) Perform brush biopsies;

(7) Make final impressions;

(8) Place amalgam prior to condensing by a dentist;

(9) Place cavity liners and bases;

(10) Remove temporary restorations, not to include the use of rotary instruments;

(11) Cement bands and bond brackets;

(12) Perform orthodontic duties, if qualified pursuant to Den 302.05;

(13) Fabricate provisional crown and bridge restorations, if qualified pursuant to Den 302.05;

(14) Administer local anesthesia, if qualified pursuant to Den 302.05;

(15) Monitor nitrous oxide inhalation administration, if qualified pursuant to Den 302.05; and

(16) Administer nitrous oxide if qualified pursuant to Den 302.05; and

(d) Under public health supervision as defined in Den 101.24:

(1) Collect and assess medical and dental histories, including preliminary inspection of the oral cavity and surrounding structures, and periodontal probing and charting;

(2) Perform complete oral prophylaxis as appropriate, including the removal of calciferous deposits and the removal of subgingival accretions and stains by scaling and root planing;

(3) Apply topical fluoride, including fluoride varnish;

(4) Instruct in oral hygiene techniques;

(5) Administer fluoride rinse programs as follows:

a. Obtain consent from a legally responsible adult;

b. Train personnel in storage, dosage, safety, administration, and rinsing procedures; and

c. Have a legally authorized physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant pursuant to RSA 318:42, II dilute concentrated fluoride solutions prior to dispensing;

(6) Place sealants when authorized by a dentist with an active license provided that:

a. Written informed consent shall be obtained from the patients' legal guardian; and

b. The supervising dentist and the hygienist shall be responsible for the sealants being indicated and correctly placed; and

(7) Make impressions, fabricate and deliver athletic mouthguards.

N.H. Admin. Code § Den 402.01

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Amended by Volume XXXV Number 23, Filed June 11, 2014 , Proposed by #10824, Effective 5/6/2015, Expires5/6/2025.

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.

Amended by Volume XL Number 19, Filed May 7, 2020, Proposed by #13021, Effective 4/9/2020, Expires 4/9/2030.