W. Va. Code R. § 5-13-4 - Expanded duties of Dental Assistants

4.1. The following duties and/or intraoral tasks may be assigned by a licensed dentist to a dental hygienist and/or assistant in the licensed dentist's employment, provided that under no circumstances may an assistant use a power-driven instrument of any type intra-orally except as specifically set forth in this section:

4.1.1. Placing, exposing, developing, and mounting dental radiographs;

4.1.2. Placing and removing rubber dams;

4.1.3. Charting existing restorations and missing teeth;

4.1.4. Holding and removing materials, trays, strips, and sutures previously placed in the patient's mouth by the dentist;

4.1.5. Removing excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth without the use of rotating, power-driven or scaling instruments;

4.1.6. Taking impressions for study cast and pouring models;

4.1.7. Recording medical and dental histories for interpretation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.8. Providing pre- and post-treatment instructions:

4.1.9. Viewing the oral cavity and reporting the symptoms or problems to the supervising dentist;

4.1.10. Performing pulp vitality testing (thermal or electrical) with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.11. Inserting and adjusting athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.12. Removing periodontal dressings with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.13. Placing and removing matrices after a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.14. Applying topical anesthetic agents with prior approval by the supervising dentist;

4.1.15. Applying topical anticariogenic agents after successful completion of a board-approved course and examination and with prior approval of the supervising dentist;

4.1.16. Applying pit and fissure sealants after successful completion of a board-approved course and examination and with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.17. Applying cavity liners and bases with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.18. Removing soft tissue dressings with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.19. Fabricating and cementing temporary crowns and bridges with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.20. Placing and removing temporary restorations by a non power-driven method with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.21. Taking intra- and extra-oral photographs;

4.1.22. Chemical conditioning of the tooth to accept a restoration and/or bracket by topical application after successful completion of a board-approved course and examination;

4.1.23. Using a power-driven hand piece with rubber cup and/or brush only for preparing a tooth for accepting a restoration and/or appliance, which shall in no way be represented to the patient as a prohylaxis, after successful completion of a board-approved course and examination;

4.1.24. Placing retraction cords for crown impressions after successful completion of a board-approved course and examination and with prior approval of the supervising dentist;

4.1.25. Taking final impressions for fixed or removable prosthesis and/or appliance with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.26. Checking for loose orthodontic appliances with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.27. Taking orthodontic measurements with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist;

4.1.28. Fitting bands and brackets prior to final cementation and/or bonding by the supervising dentist;

4.1.29. Bending archwires with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist at the time of placement;

4.1.30. Placingor removing temporary space maintainers, orthodontic separating devices, ligatures, brackets and bands with a final evaluation by the supervising dentist at the time of placement or removal, after completion of a board-approved course and examination;

4.1.31. Removing loose or broken bands, brackets or archwires when directed by the supervising dentist;

4.1.32. Visually monitoring a nitrous oxide analgesia unit. A dental assistant or hygienist must successfully complete a board-approved course, and examination, and maintain current certification with the American Red Cross' or the American Heart Association's Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) program to perform this duty; and

4.1.33. A dental assistant who has completed two years and at least three thousand hours of clinical experience in a dental office, as attested to by the supervising dentist, and who has a restorative expanded duties or orthodontic expanded duties certificate issued by the Board, and has successfully completed a coronal polishing course approved by the Board, may apply to the Board for a certificate to perform supragingival and coronal polishing on children under 21 years of age using a slow speed hand piece with a rubber cup.

4.1.34. All duties requiring a board-approved course and examination require certification issued by the Board to perform those duties. A dental assistant shall apply to the Board for certification on a form prescribed by the Board and pay a fee as set forth in the Board's rule. Fees Established by the Board, 5CSR3.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 5-13-4