034-7 Wyo. Code R. §§ 7-7 - Dental Assistants

The following applies to all dental assistants:

(a) Dental Assistant. A dentist holding a current Wyoming license may employ persons designated as "Dental Assistants." They may be trained by their employer or by an accredited or Board approved program for dental assistants.

(b) General Supervision. The following procedures require general supervision:

(i) Take vital statistics and health histories;

(ii) Instruct patients in proper dental health care;

(iii) Process radiographs;

(iv) Fabricate and cement temporary crowns;

(v) Replace ligature wires and/or place elastic ties;

(vi) Remove ligature wire and/or elastic ties;

(vii) Place and remove orthodontic separators;

(viii) Remove broken bands, brackets, wires and appliances in emergency situations or as needed for operative or prophylactic purposes; and

(ix) Place and expose x-ray image receptors (either film or digital) with a dentist's order, either verbal or written.

(c) Indirect Supervision. The following procedures require indirect supervision:

(i) Take impressions other than final or master impressions and/or digital scan impressions;

(ii) Apply topical medications, excluding pit and fissure sealants and silver diamine fluoride;

(iii) Mix dental materials to be used by the dentist; and

(iv) Insert arch wires that have been adjusted by the dentist into the brackets or attachments and secured in place.

(d) Direct Supervision. The following procedures require direct supervision:

(i) Remove sutures;

(ii) Assist the dentist in all operative and surgical procedures;

(iii) Place and remove rubber dams;

(iv) Place and remove matrices;

(v) Remove excess cement from the coronal surfaces of the teeth;

(vi) Prepare and remove periodontal packs;

(vii) Polish the coronal surfaces of the teeth, rubber cup only, but not for the purpose of prophylaxis.

(viii) Perform whitening procedures;

(ix) Place and remove orthodontic wires and/or appliances that have been activated by the dentist;

(x) Take impressions for orthodontic procedures, i.e. retainers and removable appliances;

(xi) Remove direct bond attachments and bands;

(xii) Place pit and fissure sealants; and

(xiii) Treat diagnosed dry socket.

(e) Prohibitions. The following procedures may not be performed by dental assistants:

(i) Remove tooth structure;

(ii) Diagnose for treatment;

(iii) Take final impressions either digital or conventional or deliver a permanent prosthesis of any type;

(iv) Any procedure billed as a dental prophylaxis;

(v) Use high speed handpiece intraorally; or

(vi) Use low speed handpiece intraorally, except for coronal polishing.

Notes

034-7 Wyo. Code R. §§ 7-7

Amended, Eff. 11/3/2015. Amended, Eff. 9/26/2017. Amended, Eff. 1/14/2022. Amended, Eff. 4/14/2023. Amended, Eff. 5/29/2024.