Sec. 16625.

(1) The board may promulgate rules to prohibit or otherwise restrict the assignment of procedures to a dental hygienist or a dental assistant if the board determines that the assignment constitutes or may constitute a danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the patient or the public.

(2) Notwithstanding section 16601(1)(f) or the rules promulgated under subsection (1), a dental hygienist may perform dental hygiene services under the supervision of a dentist as part of a program for dentally underserved populations in this state conducted by a local, state, or federal grantee health agency for patients who are not assigned by a dentist. The director of community health shall designate a person as a grantee health agency for a 2-year period if the person applies to the department of community health on a form provided by the department of community health and meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Is a public or nonprofit entity, or a school or nursing home, that administers a program of dental care to a dentally underserved population.

(b) Employs or contracts with at least 1 dentist or 1 dental hygienist.

(c) Submits a program overview indicating the approximate population to be served, the method by which the service is to be provided, the procedures for program oversight and direction, and the name and license number of the dentist and dental hygienist, if applicable, who are performing services under the program.

(3) Within 10 business days after the department approves an application and designates a grantee health agency under subsection (2), the department shall notify the board of the designation in writing or make the information electronically available.

(4) The director of community health may appoint an advisory committee to assist the director of community health in designating grantee health agencies under subsection (2). If the director of community health does appoint an advisory committee under this subsection, the director of community health shall include on the advisory committee, at a minimum, a representative from the Michigan dental hygienist association or its successor organization and a representative from the Michigan dental association or its successor organization.

(5) As used in this section:

(a) "Nursing home" means that term as defined under section 20109.

(b) "School" means a public or private elementary or secondary institution of learning for any grade from kindergarten to 12.

(c) "Supervision" means the overseeing of or participation in the work of any other individual by a health professional licensed under this article in circumstances in which 1 or more of the following exist:

(i) The continuous availability of direct communication in person or by radio, telephone, or telecommunication between the supervised individual and a licensed health professional.

(ii) The availability of a licensed health professional on a regularly scheduled basis to review the practice of the supervised individual, to provide consultation to the supervised individual, to review records, and to further educate the supervised individual in the performance of the individual's functions.

(iii) The provision by the licensed supervising health professional of predetermined procedures and drug protocol.

History: 1978, Act 368, Eff. Sept. 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1991, Act 58, Imd. Eff. June 27, 1991 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 161, Imd. Eff. Oct. 4, 2005 Compiler's Notes: For transfer of the grantee health agency advisory committee to the department of community health, and abolishment of the committee, see E.R.O. No. 2009-7, compiled at MCL 333.26330.Popular Name: Act 368