DENTAL JURISPRUDENCE ALL STUDY EXAMS
GUIDE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔In the state of North Carolina, under what circumstances can a dental hygienist
perform a prophylaxis without direct supervision of a dentist? - ✔✔A dental hygienist
who has 3 years of experience in clinical dental hygiene or a minimum of 2,000 hours
performing primarily prophylaxis or periodontal debridement under the supervision of a
licensed dentist, who completes annual CPR certification, who completes six hours
each year of Board-approved continuing education in medical emergencies in addition
to the requirements of G.S. 90-225.1, and who is designated by the employing dentist
as being capable of performing clinical hygiene procedures without the direct
supervision of the dentist, may perform one or more dental hygiene functions as
described in G.S. 90-221(a) under the direction of a dentist based on a written standing
order, rather than an in-person evaluation by the dentist and without a licensed dentist
being physically present if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) A licensed dentist directs in writing the hygienist to perform the dental hygiene
functions.
(2) The dental hygiene functions directed to be performed in accordance with this
subsection are conducted within 270 days of the dentist's standing order.
(3) The services are performed in nursing homes; rest homes; long-term care facilities;
schools; rural and community clinics operated by Board-approved nonprofits; rural and
community clinics operated by federal, State, county, or local governments; federally
qualified health centers; and any other facilities identified by the Office of Rural Health
and approved by the Board as serving dental access shortage areas.
(4) A licensed dentist is available to provide appropriate follow-up care as necessary.
✔✔Can a dental hygienist who has been disciplined by the Board practice outside of
direct supervision? - ✔✔No, a dental hygienist who has been disciplined by the Board
may not practice outside the direct supervision of a dentist under G.S. 90-233(a1).
In addition, a dentist who has been disciplined by the Board may not allow a hygienist to
work outside of that dentist's direct supervision under G.S. 90-233(a1).
, ✔✔What is the responsibility of the dentist when allowing a dental hygienist to work
outside of direct supervision? - ✔✔Each dentist who chooses to order dental hygiene
services under G.S. 90-233(a1) shall report annually to the Board:
-the number of patients who were treated outside the direct supervision of the dentist
-the location in which the services were performed by the hygienist
-a description of any adverse circumstances which occurred during or after the
treatment, if any
✔✔In North Carolina, there are two classifications for Dental Assistants (DA I and DA
II.)
North Carolina DOES or DOES NOT certify assistants? - ✔✔North Carolina DOES NOT
certify assistants.
Classification is based on experience and/or training. It is up to the employer to verify an
assistant's qualifications and determine if he/she is a DA I or DA II.
✔✔To be classified as a Dental Assistant II, an assistant shall meet one of the following
criteria: - ✔✔1) completion of:
(a) an ADA-accredited dental assisting program and current certification in CPR
OR
(b) one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program, and
current certification in CPR
(2) completion of the Dental Assistant certification examination(s) administered by the
Dental Assisting National Board and current certification in CPR.
(3) completion of:
(a) a 3-hour course in sterilization and infection control
(b) a 3-hour course in dental office emergencies
(c) current certification in CPR.
(d) after completing Sub-Items (3)(b), (c), and (d) of this Rule, dental assistants may be
trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental
Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist, except as
listed in Sub-Item 3(e) of this Rule.
(e) dental assistants may take radiographs after completing radiology training consistent
with G.S. 90-29(c)(12).
(f) full-time employment and experience as a chairside assistant for two years (3,000
hours) of the preceding five, during which period the assistant may be trained in any
dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II
under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist.
✔✔What functions and tasks are permitted as a DA I? - ✔✔A Dental Assistant I may
perform only routine dental assisting procedures such as oral hygiene instruction,
GUIDE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔In the state of North Carolina, under what circumstances can a dental hygienist
perform a prophylaxis without direct supervision of a dentist? - ✔✔A dental hygienist
who has 3 years of experience in clinical dental hygiene or a minimum of 2,000 hours
performing primarily prophylaxis or periodontal debridement under the supervision of a
licensed dentist, who completes annual CPR certification, who completes six hours
each year of Board-approved continuing education in medical emergencies in addition
to the requirements of G.S. 90-225.1, and who is designated by the employing dentist
as being capable of performing clinical hygiene procedures without the direct
supervision of the dentist, may perform one or more dental hygiene functions as
described in G.S. 90-221(a) under the direction of a dentist based on a written standing
order, rather than an in-person evaluation by the dentist and without a licensed dentist
being physically present if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) A licensed dentist directs in writing the hygienist to perform the dental hygiene
functions.
(2) The dental hygiene functions directed to be performed in accordance with this
subsection are conducted within 270 days of the dentist's standing order.
(3) The services are performed in nursing homes; rest homes; long-term care facilities;
schools; rural and community clinics operated by Board-approved nonprofits; rural and
community clinics operated by federal, State, county, or local governments; federally
qualified health centers; and any other facilities identified by the Office of Rural Health
and approved by the Board as serving dental access shortage areas.
(4) A licensed dentist is available to provide appropriate follow-up care as necessary.
✔✔Can a dental hygienist who has been disciplined by the Board practice outside of
direct supervision? - ✔✔No, a dental hygienist who has been disciplined by the Board
may not practice outside the direct supervision of a dentist under G.S. 90-233(a1).
In addition, a dentist who has been disciplined by the Board may not allow a hygienist to
work outside of that dentist's direct supervision under G.S. 90-233(a1).
, ✔✔What is the responsibility of the dentist when allowing a dental hygienist to work
outside of direct supervision? - ✔✔Each dentist who chooses to order dental hygiene
services under G.S. 90-233(a1) shall report annually to the Board:
-the number of patients who were treated outside the direct supervision of the dentist
-the location in which the services were performed by the hygienist
-a description of any adverse circumstances which occurred during or after the
treatment, if any
✔✔In North Carolina, there are two classifications for Dental Assistants (DA I and DA
II.)
North Carolina DOES or DOES NOT certify assistants? - ✔✔North Carolina DOES NOT
certify assistants.
Classification is based on experience and/or training. It is up to the employer to verify an
assistant's qualifications and determine if he/she is a DA I or DA II.
✔✔To be classified as a Dental Assistant II, an assistant shall meet one of the following
criteria: - ✔✔1) completion of:
(a) an ADA-accredited dental assisting program and current certification in CPR
OR
(b) one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program, and
current certification in CPR
(2) completion of the Dental Assistant certification examination(s) administered by the
Dental Assisting National Board and current certification in CPR.
(3) completion of:
(a) a 3-hour course in sterilization and infection control
(b) a 3-hour course in dental office emergencies
(c) current certification in CPR.
(d) after completing Sub-Items (3)(b), (c), and (d) of this Rule, dental assistants may be
trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental
Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist, except as
listed in Sub-Item 3(e) of this Rule.
(e) dental assistants may take radiographs after completing radiology training consistent
with G.S. 90-29(c)(12).
(f) full-time employment and experience as a chairside assistant for two years (3,000
hours) of the preceding five, during which period the assistant may be trained in any
dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II
under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist.
✔✔What functions and tasks are permitted as a DA I? - ✔✔A Dental Assistant I may
perform only routine dental assisting procedures such as oral hygiene instruction,
