# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 44 — Board of Dental Examiners

### Chapter 04 — Practice of Dental Hygiene

#### Regulation .22 Administering Nitrous Oxide to a Patient.

*COMAR 10.44.04.22*

A. A dental hygienist who administers nitrous oxide shall enter clinic details of the procedure during and after the procedure into the patient’s dental record.

B. A dental hygienist may not administer nitrous oxide to more than one patient at a time.

C. A dental hygienist who administers nitrous oxide to a patient may not:

  (1) Treat any other patient during the course of the initiation, adjustment, monitoring, or termination of the flow of nitrous oxide; or

  (2) Leave the operatory during the initiation, adjustment, monitoring, or termination of the flow of nitrous oxide except in emergency circumstances.

D. The dental hygienist may remove the patient from nitrous oxide when the procedures have been completed.

E. The supervising dentist shall remain in the dental office and in appropriate proximity to be summoned in the event of an emergency.