Table C-1 LEGAL SCOPE OF PRACTICE INDEX FOR DENTAL HYGIENISTS IN THE UNITED STATES, 2001 Detailed Criteria, Scoring, and Data Sources for AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, and CO
SCORING CATEGORY Points Max Score fn AL   AK   AZ   AR   CA   CO  
Regulated by:
Board of Dental Hygiene/Independent Dental Hygiene Committee
4
4
a
Board of Dentistry/Dental Examiners with Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee
4
4
a
4
a
Board of Dentistry/Dental Examiners with Dental Hygienist as a Voting Member (2+)
3
3
a
3
a
Board of Dentistry/Dental Examiners with Dental Hygienist as a Voting Member
2
2
a
2
a
Board of Dentistry/Dental Examiners with Dental Hygienist as a Non-Voting Member
1
Other State Boards or Departments
3
Other Regulatory:
Licensure by Credential/Endorsement with no new clinical exam required
2
2
b
0
b
2
b
0
b
2
b
0
b
2
b
Scope of Practice Defined in Law or Regulations
2
2
c
2
c
2
c
2
c
2
c
2
c
2
c
Hygienist not restricted to patient of record of primary employing dentist
2
2
d
0
2
0
d
0
2
2
Total Regulation Score
10
6
9
6
6
8
9
Supervision:
                       
Dental Hygiene Practice: Highest level of supervision in state laws and regs:
Unsupervised
4
4
e
4
e
4
e
Collaborative Practice Arrangements
3
General
2
2
e
2
e
2
e
Direct
1
1
e
Supervision Requirements In:
Dentists Office
Unsupervised
4
4
f
4
f
Collaborative Practice Arrangements
3
General
2
2
f
2
f
2
f
Direct
1
1
f
1
f
No requirement for prior examination by a dentist
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Long Term Care Facilities - Skilled Nursing Facilities
Unsupervised
4
4
g
4
g
4
g
Collaborative Arrangements
3
General
2
2
g
Direct
1
1
g
0
0
No requirement for prior examination by a dentist
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Schools-Private or Public
Unsupervised
4
4
h
4
h
4
h
Collaborative Practice Arrangements
3
General
2
2
h
2
h
Direct
1
1
h
0
No requirement for prior examination by a dentist
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Public Health Agencies- Federally Qualified Health Centers
Unsupervised
4
4
i
4
i
4
i
Collaborative Practice Arrangements
3
General
2
2
i
2
i
Direct
1
1
i
0
No requirement for prior examination by a dentist
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Correctional Facilities
Unsupervised
4
4
j
4
j
4
j
Collaborative Practice Arrangements
3
General
2
2
j
2
j
2
j
Direct
1
1
j
No requirement for prior examination by a dentist
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Public Institutions- Mental Health Facilities
Unsupervised
4
4
k
4
k
4
k
Collaborative Practice Arrangements
3
General
2
2
k
2
k
Direct
1
1
k
0
No requirement for prior examination by a dentist
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Hospitals/Rehabilitation Hospitals or Convalescent settings
Unsupervised
4
4
l
4
l
4
l
Collaborative Practice Arrangements
3
General
2
2
l
Direct
1
1
l
0
0
No requirement for prior examination by a dentist
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Home Settings- Personal Residences
Unsupervised
4
4
m
4
m
4
m
Collaborative Practice Arrangements
3
General
2
2
m
Direct
1
1
m
0
0
No requirement for prior examination by a dentist
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
No Limits on Settings Allowed for Practice by Dental Hygienists
3
3
n
3
0
3
n
0
3
n
3
n
Total Supervision Score
47
12
12
21
5
37
47
 
Dental Hygienist Tasks Allowed in Legislation:
                     
Prophylaxis - Physical Presence of Dentist Not Required
2
2
o
0
o
2
o
2
o
2
o
2
o
2
o
Fluoride Treatment - Physical Presence of Dentist Not Required
2
2
p
0
p
2
p
2
p
2
p
2
p
2
p
Sealant Application - Physical Presence of Dentist Not Required
2
2
q
0
q
2
q
2
q
2
q
2
q
2
q
X-Rays - Physical Presence of Dentist Not Required
2
2
r
0
r
2
r
2
r
0
r
2
r
2
r
Place Amalgam Restorations
2
2
s
0
0
s
0
s
0
0
s
2
s
Administer Local Anesthesia
2
2
t
0
2
t