SB 635

This bill establishes a certification program for expanded function dental

auxiliaries administered by the Dentistry Examining Board. Under the bill, a person

who is not licensed as a dentist or as a dental hygienist may perform the following

activities, as delegated and supervised by a licensed dentist, if the person is certified

by the examining board as an expanded function dental auxiliary: 1) placing and

finishing restoration material after a dentist removes tooth decay; 2) applying

sealants; 3) coronal polishing; 4) impressions; 5) temporizations; 6) packing cord; 7)

removing cement from crowns; 8) adjusting dentures and other removable oral

appliances; 9) removing sutures and dressings; and 10) applying topical fluoride,

fluoride varnish, or similar dental topical agent. The bill authorizes the examining

board to promulgate rules for the certification and practice of expanded function

dental auxiliaries, but prohibits the examining board from promulgating rules that

allow an expanded practice dental auxiliary to cut hard or soft tissue, diagnose, or

plan treatments.

The examining board may grant a permanent certification as an expanded

function dental auxiliary to an applicant who, among other things, has practiced as

a dental assistant for a certain period, completes an instructional program, and is

proficient in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Under the bill, the examining board

investigates, holds hearings, and makes findings pertaining to violations of the bill

and other statutes enforced by the examining board, and the examining board may

impose on violators the same penalties that apply under current law to dentists and

dental hygienists.