2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 37. Professions and Occupations › Chapter 4. Dentistry and Dental Hygiene › Part 1. General › 37-4-101. Definitions -- practice of dentistry

37-4-101. Definitions -- practice of dentistry.
(1) Unless the context requires otherwise, in this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Board" means the board of dentistry provided for in 2-15-1732.
(b) "Deep sedation" means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired. Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained.
(c) "Department" means the department of labor and industry provided for in Title 2, chapter 15, part 17.
(d) "General anesthesia" means a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired. Patients often require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and positive pressure ventilation may be required because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function. Cardiovascular function may be impaired.
(2) Except for the provisions of 37-4-104, a person is practicing dentistry under this chapter if the person:
(a) performs, attempts, advertises to perform, causes to be performed by the patient or any other person, or instructs in the performance of dental operations, oral surgery, or dental service of any kind gratuitously or for a salary, fee, money, or other remuneration paid or to be paid, directly or indirectly, to the person, any other person, or any agency;
(b) is a manager, proprietor, operator, or conductor of a place where dental operations, oral surgery, or dental services are performed, unless the person is the personal representative of the estate of a deceased dentist or the personal representative of a disabled dentist, as provided in 37-4-104;
(c) directly or indirectly, by any means or method, furnishes, supplies, constructs, reproduces, or repairs a prosthetic denture, bridge, appliance, or other structure to be worn in the human mouth;
(d) places the appliance or structure in the human mouth or attempts to adjust it;
(e) advertises to the public, by any method, to furnish, supply, construct, reproduce, or repair a prosthetic denture, bridge, appliance, or other structure to be worn in the human mouth;
(f) diagnoses, professes to diagnose, prescribes for, professes to prescribe for, treats, or professes to treat disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of human teeth, jaws, or adjacent structures;
(g) extracts or attempts to extract human teeth or corrects, attempts, or professes to correct malpositions of teeth or of the jaw;
(h) gives or professes to give interpretations or readings of dental roentgenograms;
(i) administers an anesthetic of any nature, subject to the limitations provided in 37-4-511, in connection with a dental operation;
(j) uses the words "dentist", "dental surgeon", or "oral surgeon", the letters "D.D.S." or "D.M.D.", or any other words, letters, title, or descriptive matter that in any way represents the person as being able to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or operate for any disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of human teeth, jaws, or adjacent structures;
(k) states, advertises, or permits to be stated or advertised, by sign, card, circular, handbill, newspaper, radio, or otherwise, that the person can perform or will attempt to perform dental operations or render a diagnosis in connection with dental operations; or
(l) engages in any of the practices included in the curricula of recognized dental colleges.
History: (1)En. 66-901.1 by Sec. 77, Ch. 350, L. 1974; Sec. 66-901.1, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 10, Ch. 48, L. 1935; re-en. Sec. 3115.10, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 38, L. 1941; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 34, L. 1961; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 352, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 83, Ch. 350, L. 1974; Sec. 66-910, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 66-901.1, 66-910(1); amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 274, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 363, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 518, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 151, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 113, Ch. 483, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 100, L. 2011.