Section 4715.64. Practice as expanded function dental auxiliary

(A) Subject to divisions (B), (C), and (D) of this section, the practice of an expanded function dental auxiliary shall consist of the following:

(1) Procedures involved in the placement of restorative materials limited to amalgam restorative materials and nonmetallic restorative materials, including direct-bonded restorative materials;

(2) Application of pit and fissure sealants;

(3) Recementation of temporary crowns or recementation of crowns with temporary cement;

(4) Application of topical fluoride;

(5) Application of fluoride varnish;

(6) Application of disclosing solutions;

(7) Application of desensitizing agents;

(8) Caries susceptibility testing;

(9) Instruction on oral hygiene home care, including the use of toothbrushes and dental floss;

(10) Any additional procedures authorized by the state dental board in rules adopted under section 4715.66 of the Revised Code.

(B) An expanded function dental auxiliary shall perform the services specified in divisions (A)(1) and (11) of this section only under the supervision, order, control, and full responsibility of a dentist licensed under this chapter. At no time shall more than two expanded function dental auxiliaries be practicing as expanded function dental auxiliaries under the supervision of the same dentist. Except as provided in divisions (C) and (D) of this section, an expanded function dental auxiliary shall not practice as an expanded function dental auxiliary when the supervising dentist is not physically present at the location where the expanded function dental auxiliary is practicing.

(C) An expanded function dental auxiliary may perform, for not more than fifteen consecutive business days, the services specified in divisions (A)(2) to (10) of this section when the supervising dentist is not physically present at the location where the expanded function dental auxiliary is practicing if all of the following conditions have been satisfied:

(1) The expanded function dental auxiliary has at least two years and a minimum of three thousand hours of experience practicing as an expanded function dental auxiliary.

(2) The expanded function dental auxiliary has successfully completed a course approved by the board in the identification and prevention of potential medical emergencies.

(3) The supervising dentist has evaluated the expanded function dental auxiliary's skills.

(4) The supervising dentist examined the patient not more than one year prior to the date that the expanded function dental auxiliary provides services to the patient.

(5) The supervising dentist has established written protocols or written standing orders for the expanded function dental auxiliary to follow during and in the absence of an emergency.

(6) The supervising dentist completed and evaluated a medical and dental history of the patient not more than one year prior to the date that the expanded function dental auxiliary provides services to the patient, and the supervising dentist determines that the patient is in a medically stable condition.

(7) In advance of the appointment for services, the patient is notified that the supervising dentist will be absent from the location and that the expanded function dental auxiliary cannot diagnose the patient's dental health care status.

(8) The expanded function dental auxiliary is employed by, or under contract with, the supervising dentist, a dentist licensed under this chapter who meets one of the criteria specified in division (C)(11)(b) of section 4715.22 of the Revised Code, or a government entity that employs the expanded function dental auxiliary to provide services in a public school or in connection with other programs the government entity administers.

(D) An expanded function dental auxiliary may apply pit and fissure sealants prior to a dentist examining the patient and rendering a diagnosis, and when a dentist is not physically present at the location where the service is provided, if all of the following are the case:

(1) All of the conditions specified in division (C) of this section have been satisfied.

(2) The expanded function dental auxiliary is providing the service as part of a program operated through any of the following: a school district board of education or the governing board of an educational service center; the board of health of a city or general health district or the authority having the duties of a board of health under section 3709.05 of the Revised Code; a national, state, district, or local dental association; or any other public or private entity recognized by the state dental board.

(3) A supervising dentist for the program described in division (D)(2) of this section meets both of the following conditions:

(a) Is employed by or a volunteer for, and the patients are referred by, the entity through which the program is operated;

(b) Is available for consultation by telephone, videoconferencing, or other means of electronic communication.

(4) The application of pit and fissure sealants is limited to erupted permanent posterior teeth without suspicion of cavitation.

(5) If the patient is a minor, a parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the patient has been notified that a dentist will not be present at the location and that the expanded function dental auxiliary is not trained to diagnose or treat other serious dental concerns that could exist.

(E) Nothing in this section shall be construed by rule of the board or otherwise to authorize an expanded function dental auxiliary to engage in the practice of dental hygiene as defined by sections 4715.22 and 4715.23 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 463, §1, eff. 3/23/2015.

Effective Date: 05-12-2006