Ariz. Admin. Code § R4-11-601 - Duties and Qualifications

A. A dental hygienist may apply Preventative and Therapeutic Agents under the general supervision of a licensed dentist.

B. A dental hygienist may perform a procedure not specifically authorized by A.R.S. § 32-1281 when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The procedure is recommended or prescribed by the supervising dentist;

2. The dental hygienist has received instruction, training, or education to perform the procedure in a safe manner; and

3. The procedure is performed under the general supervision of a licensed dentist.

C. The Board shall ensure that a dental hygienist is qualified to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia as authorized by A.R.S. § 32-1281(F)(1) and (2), by requiring evidence that the hygienist has completed courses in techniques taught at a recognized dental hygiene school or recognized dental school, as defined in A.R.S. § 32-1201(16) and (17), that consist of a minimum of 36 clock hours of instruction, and has passed examinations in theoretical knowledge and clinical competency in the following subject areas:

1. Review of head and neck anatomy;

2. Pharmacology of anesthetic and analgesic agents;

3. Medical - dental history considerations;

4. Emergency procedures;

5. Selection of appropriate armamentarium and agents;

6. Nitrous oxide administration;

7. Clinical practice, under direct supervision, as defined in A.R.S. § 32-1281(H)(1), including at least three experiences administering each of the following:

a. Posterior superior alveolar injection,

b. Middle superior alveolar injection,

c. Anterior superior alveolar injection,

d. Nasopalatine injection,

e. Greater - palatine injection,

f. Inferior alveolar nerve injection,

g. Lingual injection,

h. Mental injection,

i. Long buccal injections, and

j. Nitrous oxide analgesia.

D. In addition to the recognized course of study described in subsection (C), the hygienist shall successfully complete the examination in local anesthesia given by the Western Regional Examining Board. The hygienist shall submit proof of the successful completion of the local anesthesia examination to the Board. The Board shall then issue a Local Anesthesia Certificate.

E. For purposes of qualification of a dental hygienist to place interrupted sutures as authorized by A.R.S. § 32-1281(F)(3), the Board recognizes courses in advanced periodontal therapy offered by a recognized dental hygiene school or a recognized dental school, as defined in A.R.S. § 32-1201(16) and (17), that consist of a minimum of 200 clock hours of instruction and require a dental hygienist's successful completion of those examinations of a theoretical knowledge and clinical competency in the following subject areas:

1. A review of oral histology,

2. Inflammation and pathogenesis of a periodontal pocket,

3. Patient assessment,

4. Dental hygiene treatment planning,

5. Advanced root planning and debridement,

6. Subgingival curettage,

7. Suturing,

8. Wound repair and new attachment, and

9. Clinical experience in each of the following:

a. Root planning,

b. Subgingival curettage, and

c. Suturing.

F. The hygienist shall submit proof of the successful completion of a recognized course in advanced periodontal therapy, as described in subsection (E), to the Board. The Board shall then issue a certification sticker for Suture Placement, which shall be affixed to the hygienist's license.

G.C. A dental hygienist shall not perform an Irreversible Procedure.

H.D. To qualify to use Emerging Scientific Technology as authorized by A.R.S. § 32-1281(C)(2), a dental hygienist shall successfully complete a course of study that meets the following criteria:

1. Is a course offered by a recognized dental school as defined in A.R.S. § 32-1201, a recognized dental hygiene school as defined in A.R.S. § 32-1201, or sponsored by a national or state dental or dental hygiene association or government agency;

2. Includes didactic instruction with a written examination;

3. Includes hands-on clinical instruction; and

4. Is technology that is scientifically based and supported by studies published in peer reviewed dental journals.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R4-11-601

Adopted effective December 6, 1974 (Supp. 75-1). Former Section R4-11-82 renumbered as Section R4-11-601 without change effective July 29, 1981 (Supp. 81-4). Former Section R4-11-601 repealed, new Section R4-11-601 renumbered from R4-11-402 and amended by final rulemaking at 5 A.A.R. 580, effective February 4, 1999 (Supp. 99-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 13 A.A.R. 962, effective May 5, 2007 (Supp. 07-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 28 A.A.R. 1885, effective 9/12/2022.