Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 1088 - RDH Duties and Settings

(a) Unless specifically so provided by regulation, the prohibition contained in Section 1085(a), subsections (1) through (8) of these regulations shall apply to duties performed by a registered dental hygienist.

(b) A registered dental hygienist may perform all duties assigned to dental assistants and registered dental assistants, under the supervision of a licensed dentist as specified in these regulations.

(c) Under general supervision, a registered dental hygienist may perform the following duties in addition to those provided by Section 1760(b) of the Code:

(1) Root planing;

(2) Polish and contour restorations;

(3) Oral exfoliative cytology;

(4) Apply pit and fissure sealants;

(5) Preliminary examination, including but not limited to:

(A) Periodontal charting;

(B) Intra and extra-oral examination of soft tissue;

(C) Charting of lesions, existing restorations and missing teeth;

(D) Classifying occlusion;

(E) Myofunctional evaluation;

(6) Irrigate sub-gingivally with an antimicrobial and/or antibiotic liquid solution(s).

(7) The following direct supervision duties of dental assistants and registered dental assistants:

(A) Dental Assistant.

(1) Taking impressions for diagnostic and opposing models;

(2) Applying non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents;

(3) Removing post-extraction and periodontal dressings;

(4) Removing sutures;

(5) Taking intra-oral measurements for orthodontic procedures;

(6) Checking for loose bands;

(7) Removing ligature ties;

(8) Applying topical fluoride;

(9) Placing elastic separators.

(B) Registered Dental Assistant

(1) Test pulp vitality;

(2) Removing excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth;

(3) Sizing stainless steel crowns, temporary crowns and bands;

(4) Temporary cementation and removal of temporary crowns and removal of orthodontic bands.

(5) Placing post-extraction and periodontal dressings.

(d) A registered dental hygienist may perform the procedures set forth below under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist when done so pursuant to the order, control and full professional responsibility of the supervising dentist. Such procedures shall be checked and approved by the supervising dentist prior to dismissal of the patient from the office of said dentist.

(1) Placement of Antimicrobial or Antibiotic Medicaments which do not later have to be removed.

(2) All duties so assigned to a dental assistant or a registered dental assistant, unless otherwise indicated;

(3) Periodontal soft tissue curettage (Evidence of satisfactory completion of a board-approved course of instruction in this function must be submitted to the board prior to any performance thereof);

(4) Administration of local anesthetic agents, infiltration and conductive, limited to the oral cavity (Evidence of satisfactory completion of a board-approved course of instruction in this function must be submitted to the board prior to any performance thereof);

(5) Administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen when used as an analgesic, utilizing fail-safe type machines containing no other general anesthetic agents. (Evidence of satisfactory completion of a board-approved course of instruction in this function must be submitted to the board prior to any performance thereof.)

(e) A registered dental hygienist may undertake the duties authorized by this section in the following settings, provided the appropriate supervision requirements are met:

(1) The treatment facility of a licensed dentist;

(2) Licensed health facilities as defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code,

(3) Licensed clinics as defined in Section 1203 of the Health and Safety Code,

(4) Licensed community care facilities as defined in Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code,

(5) Schools of any grade level whether public or private,

(6) Public institutions, including but not limited to federal, state and local penal and correctional facilities.

(7) Mobile units operated by a public or governmental agency or a nonprofit and charitable organization approved by the board; provided, however, that the mobile unit meets the statutory and regulatory requirements for mobile units,

(8) Home of a non-ambulatory patient, provided there is a written note from a physician or registered nurse stating that the patient is unable to visit a dental office.

(9) Health fairs or similar non-profit community activities. Each such fair or activity shall be approved by the board.

Any other facility must be approved by the board.

Notes

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 1088

1. New subsection (c)(6) and subsection renumbering filed 4-25-2000; operative 5-25-2000 (Register 2000, No. 17).
2. New subsection (d)(1) and subsection renumbering filed 12-17-2001; operative 1-16-2002 (Register 2001, No. 51).

Note: Authority cited: Section 1614, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 1614 and 1759, Business and Professions Code.

1. New subsection (c)(6) and subsection renumbering filed 4-25-2000; operative 5-25-2000 (Register 2000, No. 17).
2. New subsection (d)(1) and subsection renumbering filed 12-17-2001; operative 1-16-2002 (Register 2001, No. 51).