# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 44 — Board of Dental Examiners

### Chapter 04 — Practice of Dental Hygiene

#### Regulation .29 Administering Medication.

*COMAR 10.44.04.29*

A. A dental hygienist who is recognized by the Board to administer medication may, under the general supervision of a dentist, administer medication including:

  (1) Topical and systemic types of prescription or over-the-counter fluoride preparations;

  (2) Topical antimicrobial rinses;

  (3) Ibuprofen not exceeding 600 mg every 6 hours for up to 3 days after nonsurgical periodontal therapy;

  (4) Premedication antibiotics by mouth as required for dental treatment;

  (5) Subgingival antibiotics and antimicrobials; and

  (6) Nonopioid pain medication.

B. A dental hygienist may not administer a medication:

  (1) That is classified as a controlled dangerous substance under Criminal Law Article, Title 5, Subtitle 4, Annotated Code of Maryland, or a controlled substance as defined by 21 U.S.C. §812;

  (2) The prescription of which requires a federal Drug Enforcement Agency Registration; or

  (3) Except for local anesthesia that is administered by intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, or intradermal injection and administered in accordance with Health Occupations Article, §4-206.1 or 4-206.3, Annotated Code of Maryland, and this chapter.

C. A dental hygienist may administer a medication under §A of this regulation under a standing order in the patient’s record that is authorized by the supervising dentist, if the dental hygienist includes the following information in the patient’s record:

  (1) The name of the medication;

  (2) The dosage of the medication;

  (3) The date and time the medication was administered; and

  (4) The route by which the medication was administered.

D. The standing order entered into the patient’s record by the supervising dentist shall include at least the:

  (1) Name of the medication;

  (2) Dosage of the medication;

  (3) Particular circumstances under which the medication should:

    (a) Be administered; or

    (b) Not be administered.