Licensed dental hygienists may administer and/or monitor
nitrous oxide upon issuance of certification after successful completion of a
Board-approved Nitrous Oxide Certification Course and in compliance with T.C.A.
§
63-5-108(d) and
this rule. To become certified, the licensed dental hygienist must complete and
abide by the following process and rules:
(1) Application and Qualifications for
Certification
(a) Licensed dental hygienists
in good standing with the Tennessee Board of Dentistry are eligible to take the
Board-approved nitrous oxide certification course.
(b) Licensed dental hygienists, who have
successfully completed a comparable dental hygiene training program on nitrous
oxide administration and monitoring in another state, which is comparable to
the Board-approved course, are eligible to apply directly to the Board for
certification in administering and monitoring nitrous oxide without additional
training, provided the course is determined by the Board consultant to be
equivalent to the Board-approved course in Tennessee. The information regarding
content of the course and proof of completion must be sent directly from the
course provider to the Board's administrative office. If a certification or
permit was issued by the other state, verification of the certificate or permit
must be received directly from the other board. If it is determined that the
course is not equivalent, the licensed dental hygienist will be required to
comply with the provisions of subparagraph (1)(a) before certification can be
issued.
(2) Monitoring
Certification.
(a) A licensed dental
hygienist who, on the effective date of this rule, possesses a certificate to
monitor shall not begin to administer nitrous oxide unless and until the
licensed dental hygienist has completed a Board-approved administration and
monitoring certification course and has received certification issued by the
Board.
(b) Licensed dental
hygienists with a monitoring certificate shall only monitor nitrous oxide
sedation for patients of the employer dentist in accordance with the definition
for monitoring nitrous oxide, as provided in Rule 0460-2-.07.
(c) Licensed dental hygienists with
certification in monitoring of nitrous oxide shall prominently display, at
their of employment, the current renewal certificate, which is received upon
licensure and renewal.
(d)
Certification in monitoring nitrous oxide is only valid as long as the licensed
dental hygienist has a current license to practice dental hygiene. If the
license expires or is retired, the certification is also considered expired or
retired and the dental hygienist may not monitor nitrous oxide until the
license is reinstated or reactivated.
(3) Administration and Monitoring
Certification.
(a) A licensed dental
hygienist, with or without monitoring certification, must apply for and
complete a Board-approved certification course in the administration and
monitoring of nitrous oxide and obtain their certification, issued by the
Board, before he/she can administer nitrous oxide and monitor any
patient.
(b) Certification in
administration and monitoring of nitrous oxide is only valid as long as the
licensed dental hygienist has a current license to practice dental hygiene. If
the license expires or is retired, the certification is also considered expired
or retired and the dental hygienist may not administer and/or monitor nitrous
oxide until the license is reinstated or reactivated.
(c) Licensed dental hygienists who possess a
certification in administration and monitoring of nitrous oxide shall
prominently display, at their place of employment, the current renewal
certificate, which is received upon licensure and renewal.
(d) Duly licensed dental hygienists with
nitrous oxide administration certification may administer nitrous oxide only
under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
(e) A licensed dental hygienist may not
administer and monitor nitrous oxide to more than one (1) patient at a time and
must physically remain in the operatory at all times with the
patient.
Notes
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0460-03-.06
Original rule
certified June 7, 1974. Repeal and new rule filed December 11, 1991; effective
January 25, 1992. Amendment filed May 15, 1996; effective September 27, 1996.
Amendment filed February 18, 2003; effective May 4, 2003. Amendment filed
September 17, 2003; effective December 1, 2003. Amendment filed September 30,
2014; effective 12/29/2014.
Authority: T.C.A. §§
4-5-202,
4-5-204,
63-5-105,
63-5-108, and
63-5-115.