Current law defines the practice of dentistry in North Carolina to include the administration of anesthetics of any kind in the treatment of dental or oral diseases or physical conditions or in preparation for any operation within the oral cavity.
House committee substitute amends the 1st edition as follows.
Amends GS 90-29(b)(6) to exclude a lawfully certified dental hygienist licensed in this state who administers intraoral local dental anesthetics by infiltration and block techniques under the direct supervision of a dentist from the statutes that regulate the practice of dentistry.
Also amends GS 90-221 to delete the definition for "Direct supervision."
Makes a technical change to GS 90-233(a1) to correct a statutory reference, adding GS 90-221(2)a [was, GS 90-221(a)].
Amends GS 90-233(a6), added in the 1st edition, to require that a dental hygienist authorized to administer intraoral local dental anesthetics by infiltration and block techniques under the direct supervision of a dentist licensed in North Carolina must have been properly certified by the Board in addition to having completed a program approved by the Board under GS 90-233.6.
Recodifies GS 90-233.5 (1st edition) as GS 90-233.6 and enacts new GS 90-233.5 to direct the Board to certify a licensed dental hygienist who has completed a program approved by the Board in accordance with the provisions of GS 90-233.6.
Amends GS 90-233.6(c) to require that dental hygienists will have to submit at least 2 hours of Board approved continuing education annually under GS 90-225.1 that is related to the administration of intraoral local dental anesthetics.
Deletes subsection (d) of GS 90-233.6 which provided that as long as a lawfully authorized dental hygienist was qualified and working under the supervision of a dentist licensed in this state, the administration of intraoral local dental anesthetics by the hygienist is not prohibited or otherwise limited by GS 90-29(b)(6).
Bill Summaries: H 286 DENTAL HYGIENISTS/INTRAORAL LOCAL ANESTHETICS.
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Bill H 286 (2015-2016)Summary date: Mar 25 2015 - View Summary
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Bill H 286 (2015-2016)Summary date: Mar 18 2015 - View Summary
Amends GS 90-221, the definitions section for the Dental Hygiene Act, adding and defining the terms direct supervision and Board. Adds the administration of intraoral local dental anesthetics by infiltration and block techniques under direct supervision of a licensed dentist to the definition of dental hygiene for dental hygienists who have completed additional training and are certified. Makes technical and organizational changes.
Amends GS 90-233(a1) making technical changes and conforming changes.
Enacts new GS 90-233(a6) to provide that a dental hygienist who has completed an approved program can administer intraoral local dental anesthetics by infiltration and block techniques, but only under the proper direct supervision.
Enacts new GS 90-233.5 authorizing the NC State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) to approve any program that qualifies dental hygienists to administer intraoral local dental anesthetics. Such approval extends to the approval over the content of required courses, the length of training, and the nature of a subsequent preceptorship under a dentist licensed and practicing in North Carolina. Sets out minimum requirements that a certification program must meet in order to be certified by the Board, including that there is a faculty ratio of no greater than 1:4 for laboratory or clinical instruction. Includes provisions under which the Board may approve a dental hygienist to administer intraoral local dental anesthetics without completing an approved program as detailed above and sets out requirements that the hygienist must meet including having been qualified to administer intraoral local dental anesthetics in another state, country, or territory. Sets out yearly continuing competence requirements for approved dental hygienists, including that they have completed annual CPR certifications and at least two hours each year of Board-approved continuing education related to the administration of intraoral local dental anesthetics. Authorizes the Board to count the hours of continuing education towards the annual requirement or in addition to it. Adds language that provides for the administering of intraoral anesthetics under proper supervision of dentistry by GS 90-29(b)(6) and does not prohibit or limit the dental hygienist.
Clarifies that the Board has full power to adopt rules consistent with governing provisions to implement and enforce the provisions of this act.
Recodifies GS 90-233.1 as GS 90-233.10.
Reserves GS 90-233.1 through GS 90-233.4 for future codification purposes.
Effective January 1, 2016.