West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 5 - Dentistry, WV Board of › Title 5 - LEGISLATIVE RULE WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF DENTISTRY › Series 5-13 - Expanded Duties of Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants › Section 5-13-6 - General Supervision of Dental Hygienists

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
6.1 A dental hygienist may provide, for not
				more than fifteen consecutive business days or not more than three consecutive
				weeks, preventive dental hygiene services to patients when the supervising
				dentist is not physically present at the location at which the services are
				provided if all of the following requirements are met;
6.1.1. The dental hygienist shall apply to
				the Board for a general supervision permit. The application shall be submitted
				on a form to be supplied by the Board and pay a fee as set forth in the Board's
				rule. Fees Established by the Board, 5CSR3.
6.1.2. The dental hygienist shall have two
				years and three thousand hours of clinical dental hygiene experience.
6.1.3. The dental hygienist shall provide
				proof of successful completion of a three hour course in the identification and
				prevention of medical emergencies as part of continuing education credits for
				licensure every two years.
6.1.4.
				The supervising dentist shall have examined the patient, including a medical
				history review, diagnosis and treatment planning, not more than twelve months
				prior to the date the dental hygienist provides the dental hygiene services to
				the patient. A dental hygienist under general supervision may not treat a
				patient more than two consecutive times without a licensed dentist conducting
				an examination.
6.1.5. The dental
				hygienist shall comply with written protocols or written standing orders
				established by the supervising dentist, including an updated medical history.
				The dental hygienist shall inform the patient or parent or guardian of a child
				that dental hygiene services were provided under general supervision and shall
				document such notification in the patient record.
6.1.6. The dental hygienist shall consult
				with the supervising dentist or an attending physician if a significant change
				has occurred in the patient's medical history to determine that the patient is
				in a medically stable condition prior to receiving dental hygiene
				services.
6.1.7. The supervising
				dentist shall not have more than three dental hygienists treating patients
				under general supervision in dental offices or treatment facilities at any time
				when the dentist is not physically present.
6.1.7.a. The dental hygienist may practice
				under general supervision, consistent with conditions outlined in this section,
				in the following settings; private dental offices, hospitals, schools,
				correctional facilities, jails, community clinics, long term care facilities,
				nursing homes, home health agencies, group homes, state institutions under the
				Department of Health and Human Resources, public health facilities, homebound
				settings and accredited dental hygiene education programs.
6.1.7.a.1. Facilities used for oral
				prophylaxis, sealant placement, or both, shall have adequate lighting, suction
				and isolation of teeth.
6.1.7.a.2.
				The dental hygienist shall submit an annual report to the Board of services
				rendered while practicing under general supervision in all settings other than
				a private dental office or Accredited Dental Hygiene Education program. The
				supervising dentist shall review and sign this report.
6.1.7.a.3. All applications and reporting
				forms shall be provided by the Board.
6.1.7.b. The following procedures may be
				performed by a dental hygienist when practicing under general supervision;
6.1.7.b.1. Placing, exposing, developing, and
				mounting dental radiographs;
6.1.7.b.2. Charting existing restorations and
				missing teeth;
6.1.7.b.3. Taking
				impressions for study cast and pouring models;
6.1.7.b.4. Recording medical and dental
				histories;
6.1.7.b.5. Applying
				topical anesthetic agents;
6.1.7.b.6. Applying topical anticariogenic
				agents;
6.1.7.b.7. Applying pit and
				fissure sealants following diagnosis within four months by the supervising
				dentist;
6.1.7.b.8. Checking for
				and removal of loose orthodontic bands and loose brackets;
6.1.7.b.9. Taking intra- and extra-oral
				photographs;
6.1.7.b.10. Complete
				dental prophylaxis, which may include supra- and subgingival scaling of teeth
				and polishing of coronal and/or exposed surfaces of teeth;
6.1.7.b.11. Dental health
				education;
6.1.7.b.12. Nutritional
				counseling;
6.1.7.b.13. Recording
				periodontal findings;
6.1.7.b.14.
				Scaling excessive cement from the surfaces of teeth and restorations;
6.1.7.b.15. Performing screenings and
				diagnostic tests of teeth and surrounding tissues, including but not limited to
				restorative chartings, caries activity test, cytology smears, salivary analysis
				and smears, vitality tests, and recording findings for interpretation by a
				supervising dentist;
6.1.7.b.16.
				Placing of subgingival medicaments, fibers, chips, etc.;
6.1.7.b.17. Finishing and polishing
				restorations with a slow speed hand piece;
6.1.7.b.18. Debridement and/or root planing
				of teeth; and
6.1.7.b.19. Applying
				bleaching agents.