Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0460-03-.12 - ADMINISTRATION OF LOCAL ANESTHESIA CERTIFICATION

A licensed dental hygienist in Tennessee must obtain certification to administer local anesthesia before he/she can administer local anesthesia on any patient.

(1) Qualifications for Certification - One (1) of the following qualifications must be completed:

(a) Be a graduate of an ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation approved dental hygiene program which teaches the administration of local anesthesia to clinical competency; or

(b) Complete a Board-approved certification course in administration of local anesthesia; or

(c) Have completed a comparable dental hygiene training program on administration of local anesthesia in another state, which is comparable to the Board-approved course. The licensed dental hygienist is eligible to apply directly to the Board for certification in administration of local anesthesia without additional training, provided the course is determined by the Board consultant to be equivalent to the Board-approved course in Tennessee. The course provider must submit the curriculum, including the number of hours and injections required in the course, and a letter attesting that the course was taught to clinical competency to the Board's Administrative Office. If a certification or permit was issued by the other state, verification of the certificate or permit must be received directly from the other board. If it is determined that the course is not equivalent, the licensed dental hygienist will be required to comply with the provisions of subparagraphs (a) or (b) before certification can be issued.

(2) Procedures for Certification - After successful completion of a Board-approved certification course, an ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation dental hygiene program which included instruction in the administration of local anesthesia or a certification course from another state that is equivalent to the Board-approved course, an applicant shall:

(a) Submit a completed application on a form provided by the Board Administrative Office; and

(b) Cause verification of successful completion of the course attesting that the course was taught to demonstrate clinical competency to be sent directly from the school to the Board Administrative Office. If the course was Board-approved, a temporary permit will be issued pending verification of completion of the externship.

(3) Conditions of Certification

(a) Certification in administration of local anesthesia is valid only when the dental hygienist has a current license to practice dental hygiene. If the license expires or is retired, the certification is also considered expired or retired and the dental hygienist may not perform administration of local anesthesia until the license is reinstated or reactivated.

(b) A licensed dental hygienist with certification to administer local anesthesia shall prominently display, at the place of employment, the current renewal certificate, which is received upon licensure and renewal.

(c) A licensed dental hygienist with certification to administer local anesthesia shall administer local anesthesia only under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist who

1. Examines the patient before prescribing the procedures to be performed; and

2. Is physically present at the same office location when the local anesthesia is administered; and

3. Designates a patient of record upon whom the procedures are to be performed and describes the procedures to be performed; and

4. Examines the patient upon completion of the procedures.

(d) Following the administration of local anesthesia by a licensed dental hygienist the following information shall be documented in the patient record:

1. Date and time of administration;

2. Identity of individual administering;

3. Type of anesthesia administered;

4. Dosage/amount administered;

5. Location/site of administration; and

6. Any adverse reaction.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0460-03-.12

Original rule filed October 12, 2007; effective December 26, 2007. Amendment filed September 30, 2014; effective December 29, 2014. Amendments filed May 14, 2019; effective 8/12/2019.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-5-105, 63-5-108, 63-5-115, and 63-5-116.