Dental Hygiene Practice and Public Health Dental Hygienist Practice

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; and c. 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. 5.07: continued (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). 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.