Section 60. Delegation of services to a dental hygienist

A. In all instances and on the basis of his diagnosis, a licensed dentist assumes ultimate responsibility for determining with the patient or his representative the specific treatment the patient will receive, which aspects of treatment will be delegated to qualified personnel, and the direction required for such treatment, in accordance with this chapter, Part III (18VAC60-21-110 et seq.) of the Regulations Governing the Practice of Dentistry, and the Code.

B. Dental hygienists shall engage in their respective duties only while in the employment of a licensed dentist or governmental agency or when volunteering services as provided in 18VAC60-25-50.

C. Duties that are delegated to a dental hygienist under general supervision shall only be performed if the following requirements are met:

1. The treatment to be provided shall be ordered by a dentist licensed in Virginia and shall be entered in writing in the record. The services noted on the original order shall be rendered within a specified time period, not to exceed 10 months from the date the dentist last performed a periodic examination of the patient. Upon expiration of the order, the dentist shall have examined the patient before writing a new order for treatment under general supervision.

2. The dental hygienist shall consent in writing to providing services under general supervision.

3. The patient or a responsible adult shall be informed prior to the appointment that a dentist may not be present, that only topical oral anesthetics can be administered to manage pain, and that only those services prescribed by the dentist will be provided.

4. Written basic emergency procedures shall be established and in place, and the hygienist shall be capable of implementing those procedures.

D. An order for treatment under general supervision shall not preclude the use of another level of supervision when, in the professional judgment of the dentist, such level of supervision is necessary to meet the individual needs of the patient.

E. Delegation of duties to a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall be in accordance with provisions of § 54.1-2722 F of the Code. However, delegation of duties to a public health dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall be in accordance with provisions of § 54.1-2722 E.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 32, Issue 05, eff. December 2, 2015; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 04, eff. November 16, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.