LET DENTAL HYGIENISTS ADMINISTER ANESTHETICS.

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View NCGA Bill Details2015-2016 Session
Senate Bill 440 (Public) Filed Wednesday, March 25, 2015
AN ACT AMENDING THE DENTAL HYGIENE ACT TO AUTHORIZE PROPERLY TRAINED DENTAL HYGIENISTS TO ADMINISTER LOCAL DENTAL ANESTHETICS UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED DENTIST.
Intro. by J. Davis.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate Action) (Mar 26 2015)

Bill History:

S 440

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Mar 25 2015 - View Summary

    Amends GS 90-221, the definitions section for the Dental Hygiene Act, adding and defining the term direct supervision. Adds the administration of 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 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 local 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 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 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. Provides that the Board can adopt rules consistent with the 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.