Md. Code Regs. 10.44.01.04 - Dental Assistants Recognized as Qualified in Orthodontics

A. A dentist may use the services of a dental assistant to perform certain duties if the dental assistant:

(1) Has successfully completed a Board-approved course of at least 35 hours related to Maryland orthodontic dental assisting; and

(1) (2) Is certified by the Dental Assisting National Board in orthodontics or recognized by the Board of Dental Examiners, on or before June 19, 1974, as a dental assistant qualified in orthodontics.

B. If a dental assistant meets the qualifications of §A of this regulation, a dentist may permit the dental assistant qualified in orthodontics to perform the following intraoral tasks, provided that the tasks are performed only in response to a specific instruction from and under direct supervision of a licensed dentist:

(1) Taking impressions for study models or diagnostic casts;

(2) Applying topical fluoride;

(3) Preparing and fitting orthodontic bands;

(4) Etching;

(5) Removing excess cement from around orthodontic bands;

(6) Placing and removing arch wires;

(7) Cementing of orthodontic bands, placement of bonded attachments, or the removal of cemented or bonded orthodontic bands and attachments:

(8) Placing elastics and ligatures;

(9) Selecting headgear;

(10) Applying desensitizing agents;

(11) Applying topical anesthesia;

(12) Constructing athletic mouth guards on models;

(13) Taking alginate impressions for intraoral appliances;

(14) Curing by the use of halogen light; and

(15) Any other duty approved by the Board.

C. A dentist may not use the services of a dental assistant qualified in orthodontics to perform any of the following services on the basis that the dental assistant meets the qualifications of §A of this regulation:

(1) Examination, diagnosis, and treatment planning;

(2) Surgery on hard or soft tissues;

(3) Oral prophylactic procedures, including scaling, root planing, and polishing of teeth with rotary instruments;

(4) Condensing, carving, or finishing any restoration;

(5) Administering injectable local anesthesia;

(6) Applying pit and fissure sealants;

(7) Initiation of treatment at any time for the correction of malocclusions and malformations of the teeth or jaws;

(8) Adjusting occlusion of natural teeth, restorations, or appliances;

(9) Placing an initial surgical dressing;

(10) Performing vitality tests;

(11) Preparing temporary crowns;

(12) Cementing temporary or permanent crowns or restorations;

(13) Removing temporary crowns;

(14) Placing or removing retraction cord;

(15) Placing or removing a rubber dam;

(16) Placing or removing a matrix band;

(17) Preparing and fitting stainless steel crowns;

(18) Drying a root canal;

(19) Removing or placing a periodontal dressing; and

(20) Adjusting prosthetic appliances.

Notes

Md. Code Regs. 10.44.01.04

Regulation .04 amended effective January 7, 2002 (28:26 Md. R. 2274); amended effective 43:11 Md. R. 634, eff.6/6/2016