CSSB 239(HES): "An Act relating to the practice of dentistry and to dental assistants."
00 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 239(HES) 01 "An Act relating to the practice of dentistry and to dental assistants." 02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 03 * Section 1. AS 08.36 is amended by adding new sections to read: 04 Article 3A. Dental Assistants. 05 Sec. 08.36.342. Coronal polishing certificate. (a) The board shall issue a 06 coronal polishing certificate to a dental assistant if the dental assistant furnishes 07 evidence satisfactory to the board that the dental assistant has completed a program of 08 instruction approved by the board. 09 (b) A certificate issued under (a) of this section authorizes a dental assistant 10 under the direct supervision of a dentist licensed in the state to perform coronal 11 polishing on teeth without calculus. 12 (c) The board may by regulation establish fees, renewal, and continuing 13 education requirements for a certificate issued under this section. 14 Sec. 08.36.344. Restorative function certificate. (a) The board shall issue a 15 restorative function certificate to a dental assistant if the dental assistant furnishes
01 evidence satisfactory to the board that the dental assistant has 02 (1) successfully completed a program accredited by the Commission 03 on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or other course of 04 instruction approved by the board; and 05 (2) passed the Western Regional Examining Board's restorative 06 examination or other equivalent examination approved by the board within the five 07 years preceding the dental assistant's certificate application, or the dental assistant has 08 legal authorization from another state or jurisdiction to perform restorative functions. 09 (b) A certificate issued under this section authorizes a dental assistant under 10 the direct supervision of a licensed dentist to place restorations into a cavity prepared 11 by the licensed dentist and thereafter carve, contour, and adjust contacts and occlusion 12 of the restoration. 13 (c) The board may by regulation establish fees, renewal, and continuing 14 education requirements for a certificate under this section. 15 Sec. 08.36.346. Delegation to dental assistants. (a) Except as otherwise 16 provided in this chapter, a dentist licensed in this state may delegate to a dental 17 assistant under indirect supervision 18 (1) the exposure and development of radiographs; 19 (2) application of topical preventive agents or pit and fissure sealants; 20 and 21 (3) other dental operations and services as defined and regulated by the 22 board, except 23 (A) those that may be performed by a dental hygienist under 24 AS 08.32.110(a); and 25 (B) those that may not be delegated to a dental hygienist under 26 AS 08.32.110(c). 27 (b) A dentist licensed in this state may delegate to a dental assistant under 28 direct supervision 29 (1) coronal polishing on teeth without calculus, if the dental assistant is 30 certified under AS 08.36.342; 31 (2) the placement of a restoration into a cavity prepared by a dentist
01 licensed under this chapter and the subsequent carving, contouring, and adjustment of 02 the contacts and occlusion of the restoration, if the dental assistant is certified under 03 AS 08.36.344; and 04 (3) other dental operations and services as defined and regulated by the 05 board, except 06 (A) those that may be performed by a dental hygienist under 07 AS 08.32.110(a); and 08 (B) those that may not be delegated to a dental hygienist under 09 AS 08.32.110(c). 10 Sec. 08.36.349. Definitions. In AS 08.36.342 - 08.36.349, 11 (1) "direct supervision" means a dentist licensed in this state is in the 12 dental office, personally diagnoses the condition to be treated, personally authorizes 13 the procedure, and, before dismissal of the patient, evaluates the performance of the 14 dental assistant; 15 (2) "indirect supervision" means a dentist licensed in this state is in the 16 dental facility, authorizes the procedures, and remains in the dental facility while the 17 procedures are being performed by the dental assistant. 18 * Sec. 2. AS 08.36.370 is amended by adding new paragraphs to read: 19 (4) "calculus" means a hardened deposit of mineralized plaque; 20 (5) "coronal polishing" means the removal of supragingival plaque and 21 stains; 22 (6) "dental assistant" means a person employed to provide clinical 23 assistance to a dentist licensed in the state. 24 * Sec. 3. AS 08.32.110(d) is repealed.