(A) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prevent:

(1) the practice of medicine by a licensed physician or the administration of anesthesia by those persons qualified by law to do so;

(2) the performance of official duties by commissioned dental or medical officers of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Veterans' Administration, or United States Public Health Service;

(3) a person from teaching or demonstrating dentistry or related procedures at a dental society meeting or at a dental convention or at an accredited dental college;

(4) a licensed dentist of another state or country from performing duties in connection with a specific case for which he is called into the State by a dentist licensed in this State;

(5) dental students from performing dental procedures under the supervision of instructors in any dental school in this State accredited by the commission;

(6) licensed dental hygienists or registered dental technicians from teaching in programs accredited by the Commission;

(7) a person from making roentgenograms or X-ray exposures under the supervision of a licensed dentist or prevents persons licensed to practice dental hygiene from performing an intra-oral dental hygiene procedure if it is performed under the direction and control of a licensed dentist present on the premises;

(8) a person from performing dental or orthodontic technological work if:

(a) the intra-oral procedures relative to such work are performed by a licensed dentist;

(b) the work is performed by or under the direction and control of a licensed dentist on his premises, or by or under the direction and control of a registered dental or orthodontic technician present on the premises; however, orthodontic work performed under the direction and control of a registered orthodontic technician is limited to orthodontic technological work; and

(c) the work is performed pursuant to a properly executed work authorization, as provided for in this chapter, if the work is to be done by or under the direction and control of a registered dental or orthodontic technician.

(9) a certified or qualified dental assistant or licensed dental hygienist from taking impressions for dental study casts under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist present on the premises;

(10) a licensed dental hygienist employed within or contracted through the public health system from providing education and primary preventive care that is reversible. Primary preventive care and education are defined as promotion and protection of health to avoid the occurrence of disease through community, school, and individual measures or improvements in lifestyle. These services are to be performed under the direction of the Department of Health and Environmental Control State Dental Coordinator or the department's designee but do not require that the director or a licensed dentist be present when any public health dental program services are provided. Public health dental program services include oral screenings using a Department of Health and Environmental Control approved screening system, oral prophylaxis, application of topical fluoride including varnish, and the application of dental sealants.

(B) A dentist licensed in another state teaching in a dental college in this State accredited by the commission is exempt from the licensure requirement unless he engages in the intramural or private practice of dentistry.

(C) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to require licensure for interns or residents enrolled in an intern or residency training program approved by the commission.

(D) Unlicensed personnel in a dental office may perform those tasks as authorized by the board and for which minimal training standards and qualifications are established by regulation. All tasks permitted to be performed by other than licensed personnel must be under the direct supervision of a dentist present on the premises and licensed in this State.

(E) The Department of Health and Environmental Control shall target services in a public health setting to under-served populations. A public health setting is defined as a hospital, nursing home, long term care facility, rural or community health clinic, health facility operated by federal, state, county, or local governments, hospice, an educational institution, a bona fide charitable institution, or a mobile delivery program operated in one of these settings under the direction of the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Mobile delivery programs are defined as those that are not confined to a single building and can be transported from place to place.

(F) Dental assistants may perform oral screenings utilizing the Department of Health and Environmental Control approved screening system in school and public health settings under direction of the Department of Health and Environmental Control public health dental program.

(G) Dental assistants employed within or contracted through the public health system may assist in the delivery of public health dental program services as defined in this section. Program activities are performed under the direction of the Department of Health and Environmental Control State Dental Coordinator or the department's designee but do not require that the coordinator be present when services are performed.

(H) Licensed dental hygienists and dental assistants within the public health system may perform other duties authorized by regulations of the State Board of Dentistry.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 56-636.11; 1952 Code Sections 56-501, 56-532; 1942 Code Sections 5194, 5218; 1932 Code Sections 5194, 5218; 1922 (32) 844; 1968 (55) 2502; 1986 Act No. 363, Section 4; 1986 Act No. 517, Section 1; 1988 Act No. 493; 2003 Act No. 45, Section 4.