C.R.S. Section 12-220-503
What constitutes practicing unsupervised dental hygiene

  • rules

(1)

Unless licensed to practice dentistry, a person is deemed to be practicing unsupervised dental hygiene when the person, within the scope of the person’s education, training, and experience:

(a)

Removes deposits, accretions, and stains by scaling with hand, ultrasonic, or other devices from all surfaces of the tooth and smooths and polishes natural and restored tooth surfaces, including root planing;

(b)

Removes granulation and degenerated tissue from the gingival wall of a periodontal pocket;

(c)

Provides preventive measures including the application of fluorides, sealants, and other recognized topical agents for the prevention of oral disease;

(d)

Gathers and assembles information including, but not limited to:

(I)

Fact-finding and patient history;

(II)

Preparation of study casts for the purpose of fabricating a permanent record of the patient’s present condition; as a visual aid for patient education, dental hygiene diagnosis, and dental hygiene treatment planning; and to provide assistance during forensic examination;

(III)

Extra- and intra-oral inspection;

(IV)

Dental and periodontal charting; and

(V)

Radiographic and X-ray survey for the purpose of assessing and diagnosing dental hygiene-related conditions for treatment planning for dental hygiene services as described in this section and identifying dental abnormalities for immediate referral to a dentist;

(e)

Administers a topical anesthetic to a patient in the course of providing dental care;

(f)

Performs dental hygiene assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, and dental hygiene treatment planning for dental hygiene services as described in this section and identifies dental abnormalities for immediate referral to a dentist; or

(g)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

Prescribes, administers, and dispenses fluoride, fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride in accordance with subsection (1)(g)(IV) of this section, antimicrobial solutions for mouth rinsing, other nonsystemic antimicrobial agents, and related emergency drugs and reversal agents in collaboration with a licensed dentist. The board, by rule, may further define the permissible and appropriate emergency drugs and reversal agents. An articulated plan with a collaborating dentist for dental hygiene prescribing must describe any protocols, restrictions or limitations, follow-up and referral mechanisms, notification and disclosure requirements, and any other requirements established by the board by rule. Dental hygienists shall maintain clear documentation in the patient record of the drug or agent prescribed, administered, or dispensed; the date of the action; and the rationale for prescribing, administering, or dispensing the drug or agent.

(II)

A dental hygienist shall not prescribe, administer, or dispense the following:

(A)

Drugs whose primary effect is systemic, with the exception of fluoride supplements permitted under subsection (1)(g)(III)(A) of this section; and

(B)

Dangerous drugs or controlled substances, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5).

(III)

A dental hygienist may prescribe the following:

(A)

Fluoride supplements as follows, all using sodium fluoride: Tablets: 0.5 mg, 1.1 mg, or 2.2 mg; lozenges: 2.21 mg; and drops: 1.1 mL;

(B)

Topical anti-caries treatments as follows, all using sodium fluoride unless otherwise indicated: Toothpastes: 1.1% or less (or stannous fluoride 0.4%); topical gels: 1.1% or less (or stannous fluoride 0.4%); oral rinses: 0.05%, 0.2%, 0.44%, or 0.5%; oral rinse concentrate used in periodontal disease: 0.63% stannous fluoride; fluoride varnish: 5%; silver diamine fluoride: 38%; and prophy pastes containing approximately 1.23% sodium fluoride and used for polishing procedures as part of professional dental prophylaxis treatment;

(C)

Topical anti-infectives as follows: Chlorhexidine gluconate rinses: 0.12%; chlorhexidine gluconate periodontal chips for subgingival insertion into a periodontal pocket/sulcus; tetracycline impregnated fibers, inserted subgingivally into a periodontal pocket/sulcus; doxycycline hyclate periodontal gel, inserted subgingivally into a periodontal pocket/sulcus; and minocycline hydrochloride periodontal powder, inserted subgingivally into a periodontal pocket/sulcus; and

(D)

Related emergency drugs and reversal agents as authorized by the collaborating dentist.

(IV)

A dental hygienist may prescribe and apply silver diamine fluoride upon completion of a postsecondary course or continuing education course developed at the postsecondary level that satisfies the requirements established by the board and provides instructions on the use and limitations of applying silver diamine fluoride. A dental hygienist may complete the course described in this subsection (1)(g)(IV) through:

(A)

A live and interactive course presentation;

(B)

An on-demand webinar with a completion quiz component to verify participation prior to the issuance of a certificate; or

(C)

Any other format approved by the board.

(2)

A dental hygienist shall state in writing and require a patient to acknowledge by signature that any diagnosis or assessment is for the purpose of determining necessary dental hygiene services only and that it is recommended by the American Dental Association, or any successor organizations, that a thorough dental examination be performed by a dentist twice each year.

(3)

Unsupervised dental hygiene may be performed by licensed dental hygienists without the supervision of a licensed dentist.

(4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Notwithstanding section 12-220-104 (13) or 12-220-305 (1)(b), a dental hygienist may be the proprietor of a place where supervised or unsupervised dental hygiene is performed and may purchase, own, or lease equipment necessary to perform supervised or unsupervised dental hygiene.

(b)

A dental hygienist proprietor, or a professional corporation or professional limited liability corporation of dental hygienists, in addition to providing dental hygiene services, may enter into an agreement with one or more dentists for the lease or rental of equipment or office space in the same physical location as the dental hygiene practice, but only if the determination of necessary dental services provided by the dentist and professional responsibility for those services, including but not limited to dental records, appropriate medication, and patient payment, remain with the treating dentist. It is the responsibility of the dental hygienist to inform the patient as to whether there is a supervisory relationship between the dentist and the dental hygienist. An agreement under this subsection (4)(b) does not constitute employment and does not constitute cause for discipline pursuant to section 12-220-201 (1)(h).

Source: Section 12-220-503 — What constitutes practicing unsupervised dental hygiene - rules, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-12.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

12‑220‑101
Short title
12‑220‑102
Legislative declaration
12‑220‑103
Applicability of common provisions
12‑220‑104
Definitions - rules
12‑220‑105
Colorado dental board - qualifications of board members - quorum - panel - rules - review of functions - repeal of article - repeal
12‑220‑106
Powers and duties of board - rules - limitation on authority
12‑220‑107
Indebtedness - appropriations - publications
12‑220‑108
Attorney general shall represent board and members
12‑220‑201
Grounds for disciplinary action - definition
12‑220‑202
Disciplinary actions - rules
12‑220‑203
Disciplinary proceedings
12‑220‑204
Board panels
12‑220‑205
Cease-and-desist orders
12‑220‑206
Mental and physical examinations
12‑220‑207
Confidential agreement to limit practice
12‑220‑208
Review of board action
12‑220‑209
Professional review committees - immunity
12‑220‑210
Use or sale of forged or invalid diploma, license, license renewal certificate, or identification
12‑220‑211
Unauthorized practice - penalties
12‑220‑212
Soliciting or advertisements by unlicensed persons
12‑220‑301
Persons entitled to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene
12‑220‑302
Persons exempt from operation of this article
12‑220‑303
Ownership of dental or dental hygiene practice - information to be posted - heir to serve as temporary proprietor - limitations - definitions
12‑220‑304
Names and status under which dental practice may be conducted
12‑220‑305
What constitutes practicing dentistry - authority to electronically prescribe
12‑220‑306
Dentists may prescribe drugs - surgical operations - anesthesia - limits on prescriptions
12‑220‑307
Professional liability insurance required - rules
12‑220‑308
Continuing education requirements - rules
12‑220‑309
Independent advertising or marketing agent - injunctive proceedings
12‑220‑310
Dentist peer health assistance program - fees - rules
12‑220‑401
Application for dentist license - fee
12‑220‑402
Dentist academic license
12‑220‑403
Examination - how conducted - dentist license issued to successful applicants
12‑220‑404
Dentist - licensure by endorsement
12‑220‑405
Application for dental hygienist license - fee
12‑220‑406
Dental hygienist examinations - license
12‑220‑407
Dental hygienist - licensure by endorsement
12‑220‑407.2
Application for dental therapist license - fee - rules
12‑220‑407.5
Dental therapist examinations - license
12‑220‑408
Renewal of dental and dental hygienist licenses - fees - questionnaire
12‑220‑409
Inactive dental, dental therapist, or dental hygienist license
12‑220‑410
Retired dental, dental therapist, and dental hygienist licenses
12‑220‑411
Anesthesia and sedation permits - dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists - training and experience requirements - office inspections - rules
12‑220‑412
Change of address - duplicate licenses and certificates
12‑220‑501
Tasks authorized to be performed by dental therapists, dental hygienists, or dental assistants - rules
12‑220‑502
Construction of dental devices by unlicensed technician
12‑220‑503
What constitutes practicing unsupervised dental hygiene - rules
12‑220‑504
What constitutes practicing supervised dental hygiene
12‑220‑505
Interim therapeutic restorations by dental hygienists - permitting process - rules - subject to review
12‑220‑507
Dental hygienist peer health assistance program - fees - rules
12‑220‑508
Practice of dental therapy supervision requirement - rules
12‑220‑601
Legislative declaration
12‑220‑602
Minimum standards - rules - definition
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 12-220-503’s source at colorado​.gov