Regulation .04 Dental Assistants Recognized as Qualified in Orthodontics.
Regulation .04 Dental Assistants Recognized as Qualified in Orthodontics.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A dentist may use the services of a dental assistant to perform certain duties if the dental assistant:
(1)
Has successfully completed a Board-approved course of at least 35 hours related to Maryland orthodontic dental assisting; and
(2)
Is certified by the Dental Assisting National Board in orthodontics or was recognized by the Board of Dental Examiners, on or before June 19, 1974, as a dental assistant qualified in orthodontics.
B.
If a dental assistant meets the qualifications of §A of this regulation, a dentist may permit the dental assistant qualified in orthodontics to perform the following intraoral tasks, provided that the tasks are performed only in response to a specific instruction from and under direct supervision of a licensed dentist:
(1)
Taking impressions for study models or diagnostic casts;
(2)
Applying topical fluoride;
(3)
Preparing and fitting orthodontic bands;
(4)
Etching;
(5)
Removing excess cement from around orthodontic bands;
(6)
Placing and removing arch wires;
(7)
Cementing of orthodontic bands, placement of bonded attachments, or the removal of cemented or bonded orthodontic bands and attachments:
(8)
Placing elastics and ligatures;
(9)
Selecting headgear;
(10)
Applying desensitizing agents;
(11)
Applying topical anesthesia;
(12)
Constructing athletic mouth guards on models;
(13)
Taking alginate impressions for intraoral appliances;
(14)
Curing by the use of halogen light; and
(15)
Any other duty approved by the Board.
C.
A dentist may not use the services of a dental assistant qualified in orthodontics to perform any of the following services on the basis that the dental assistant meets the qualifications of §A of this regulation:
(1)
Examination, diagnosis, and treatment planning;
(2)
Surgery on hard or soft tissues;
(3)
Oral prophylactic procedures, including scaling, root planing, and polishing of teeth with rotary instruments;
(4)
Condensing, carving, or finishing any restoration;
(5)
Administering injectable local anesthesia;
(6)
Applying pit and fissure sealants;
(7)
Initiation of treatment at any time for the correction of malocclusions and malformations of the teeth or jaws;
(8)
Adjusting occlusion of natural teeth, restorations, or appliances;
(9)
Placing an initial surgical dressing;
(10)
Performing vitality tests;
(11)
Preparing temporary crowns;
(12)
Cementing temporary or permanent crowns or restorations;
(13)
Removing temporary crowns;
(14)
Placing or removing retraction cord;
(15)
Placing or removing a rubber dam;
(16)
Placing or removing a matrix band;
(17)
Preparing and fitting stainless steel crowns;
(18)
Drying a root canal;
(19)
Removing or placing a periodontal dressing; and
(20)
Adjusting prosthetic appliances.