Rule 4715-9-01.4. Use of Lasers; education and training requirements

119.03 Each licensed dental hygienist seeking to use a laser in accordance with rule 4715-9-01 of the Administrative Code must have completed the requirements set forth in sections 4715.23 and 4715.231 of the Revised Code and the education and examination requirements set forth in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this rule. (A) The dental hygienist must successfully complete a course on the use of lasers. The program of education shall include a minimum of five and a half hours of didactic instruction and successful completion of a written examination by a score of at least seventy-five per cent. The objectives for the didactic instruction must include: (1) Review of patient's medical history to determine any contraindications; (2) Review of infection control, standard precautions, and transfer of diseases; (3) Periodontal tissues, dental anatomy, and nomenclature; (4) Rationale for performing non-surgical periodontal laser therapy; (5) Beneficial and adverse effects of non-surgical periodontal laser therapy; (6) Soft tissue vs. hard tissue lasers; (7) Laser physics; (8) Laser safety for patients and staff; (9) Patient management; (10) Proper technique for approved use of non-surgical periodontal laser therapy including laser bacterial reduction, laser assisted periodontal therapy, photobiomodulation, and treatment of herpetic lesions/aphthous ulcers; (11) Proper coding protocol; (12) Procedures to follow in case of medical emergencies; (13) Dental ethics, jurisprudence, and legal understanding of procedures allowed by each dental team member. (B) Following successful completion of didactic instruction and examination, clinical competence will be assessed by demonstrating proficiency in approved procedures in two and a half hours of clinical hands-on training and a score of at least seventy-five per cent on the clinical competency exam. Last updated May 11, 2026 at 8:05 AM Supplemental Information Authorized By: 4715.22 , 4715.23 & 4715.36 Amplifies: 4715.22 & 4715.23 4/25/2031