# Health Occupations (GHO)

## Title 4. Dentistry

### Subtitle 4. Dental Laboratory Work

#### Section 4-401

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Dental technician" means an individual who does dental laboratory work.

(c) "Subcontracted work authorization" means a written request for subcontracted dental laboratory work.

(d) "Work authorization" means a written request for dental laboratory work.

#### Section 4-402

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a person other than a licensed dentist may not do dental laboratory work unless the person:

  (1) Works under a work authorization that meets the requirements of Sec. 4-403 of this subtitle; and

  (2) Uses casts or models made from impressions taken by a licensed dentist.

(b) The requirements of this subtitle that relate to work authorizations do not apply to:

  (1) A dental laboratory on the premises of a dental office that is used only by the licensed dentists practicing in the office; or

  (2) A dental student, dental technician, or student dental technician while doing dental laboratory work at the educational institution, hospital, or clinic with which the individual is associated.

#### Section 4-403

(a) The work authorization required by Sec. 4-402 of this subtitle for dental laboratory work shall:

  (1) Be on the form that the Board requires;

  (2) Be signed by a licensed dentist who requests the work; and

  (3) Contain the information required by this section.

(b) The work authorization shall be prepared in duplicate and contain:

  (1) The name and address of the dental laboratory to do the work;

  (2) Identification of the patient by name or number;

  (3) The date on which the work authorization form was completed;

  (4) A description of the work to be done, including diagrams if necessary;

  (5) A specification of the type of dental materials to be used; and

  (6) The name and license number of the dentist who requests the work.

(c) A dental laboratory named in a work authorization may subcontract dental laboratory work, if that dental laboratory:

  (1) Completes in duplicate the subcontracted work authorization form that the Board requires; and

  (2) Complies with the record keeping requirements of Sec. 4-404 of this subtitle.

(d) The Board shall publish:

  (1) An approved standard work authorization form; and

  (2) An approved standard subcontracted work authorization form that is of a color different from the standard work authorization form.

(e) A dental laboratory in this State may do dental laboratory work on the request of a dentist licensed and practicing in any other state or a foreign country if the request:

  (1) Is on the form that the Board requires or a reasonably equivalent form; and

  (2) Otherwise meets the requirements of this subtitle.

#### Section 4-404

(a)

  (1) The dentist who signs a work authorization shall:

    (i) Send the original to the dental laboratory named on the work authorization; and

    (ii) Keep the copy.

  (2) The dental laboratory named in the original work authorization shall:

    (i) Send the original of a subcontracted work authorization to the dental laboratory that is to do the subcontracted work; and

    (ii) Keep the copy.

(b)

  (1) The person who keeps or receives the original or copy of a work authorization or subcontracted work authorization shall keep it for at least 1 year.

  (2) If a subcontracted work authorization is issued, the dental laboratory named in the original work authorization shall attach the original work authorization form to the copy of the subcontracted work authorization form and keep the two together in the files of the dental laboratory for at least 1 year.

(c) If a dentist uses a patient identification number instead of a name on a work authorization, the dentist shall keep in the dentist's office a cross reference that translates the number to the name of the specific patient.

#### Section 4-405

A dental laboratory may make dental appliances for research, technique samples, or training purposes:

(1) Without a work authorization if the dental laboratory annually secures permission from the Board to use plastic typdont or dentoform type models for this fabrication; or

(2) Under a work authorization signed by a licensed dentist that gives the dental laboratory permission to use the dentist's cast of a particular patient and that contains:

  (i) The name and address of the dental laboratory;

  (ii) Patient identification by name or number;

  (iii) The date on which the written work authorization form was completed; and

  (iv) The name and license number of the dentist who signs the form.

#### Section 4-406

(a) A dental laboratory may not accept a request for dental laboratory work unless the request meets the requirements of this subtitle.

(b) A licensed dentist may not:

  (1) Suggest, request, or in any way direct that a patient appear at a dental laboratory; or

  (2) Sign a work request that does not contain all the information required by this subtitle.

#### Section 4-407

(a)

  (1) To determine compliance with this subtitle, the Board may inspect, at random, the work authorization forms and files kept by a licensed dentist or dental laboratory.

  (2) The Board may appoint any person, including a dental technician, to conduct the inspection permitted by this subsection.

(b) Doing dental laboratory work while not in possession of a work authorization or a subcontracted work authorization that meets the requirements of this subtitle is prima facie evidence of a violation of this subtitle.

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Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)