00 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 319(L&C) 01 "An Act relating to the practice of dentistry, to dental assistants, and to dental 02 hygienists." 03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 04  * Section 1. AS 08.36 is amended by adding new sections to read: 05 Article 3A. Dental Assistants.  06 Sec. 08.36.342. Coronal polishing certificate. (a) The board shall issue a 07 coronal polishing certificate to a dental assistant if the dental assistant furnishes 08 evidence satisfactory to the board that the dental assistant has completed a program of 09 instruction approved by the board. 10 (b) A certificate issued under (a) of this section authorizes a dental assistant 11 under the direct supervision of a dentist licensed in the state to perform coronal 12 polishing on teeth without calculus. 13 (c) The board may by regulation establish fees, renewal, and continuing 14 education requirements for a certificate issued under this section. 01 Sec. 08.36.344. Restorative function certificate. (a) The board shall issue a 02 restorative function certificate to a dental assistant if the dental assistant furnishes 03 evidence satisfactory to the board that the dental assistant has 04 (1) successfully completed a program accredited by the Commission 05 on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or other course of 06 instruction approved by the board; and 07 (2) passed the Western Regional Examining Board's restorative 08 examination or other equivalent examination approved by the board within the five 09 years preceding the dental assistant's certificate application, or the dental assistant has 10 legal authorization from another state or jurisdiction to perform restorative functions. 11 (b) A certificate issued under this section authorizes a dental assistant under 12 the direct supervision of a licensed dentist to place restorations into a cavity prepared 13 by the licensed dentist and thereafter carve, contour, and adjust contacts and occlusion 14 of the restoration. 15 (c) The board may by regulation establish fees, renewal, and continuing 16 education requirements for a certificate under this section. 17 Sec. 08.36.346. Delegation to dental assistants. (a) Except as otherwise 18 provided in this chapter, a dentist licensed in this state may delegate to a dental 19 assistant under indirect supervision 20 (1) the exposure and development of radiographs; 21 (2) application of topical preventive agents or pit and fissure sealants; 22 and 23 (3) other dental operations and services except 24 (A) those that may be performed by a dental hygienist under 25 AS 08.32.110(a); and 26 (B) those that may not be delegated to a dental hygienist under 27 AS 08.32.110(c). 28 (b) A dentist licensed in this state may delegate to a dental assistant under 29 direct supervision 30 (1) coronal polishing on teeth without calculus, if the dental assistant is 31 certified under AS 08.36.342; 01 (2) the placement of a restoration into a cavity prepared by a dentist 02 licensed under this chapter and the subsequent carving, contouring, and adjustment of 03 the contacts and occlusion of the restoration, if the dental assistant is certified under 04 AS 08.36.344; and 05 (3) other dental operations and services as defined and regulated by the 06 board; however, a dentist may not delegate to a dental assistant a dental operation or 07 service that requires the professional skill of a licensed dentist or licensed dental 08 hygienist, including those dental operations and services specified in AS 08.32.110(c). 09 Sec. 08.36.349. Definitions. In AS 08.36.342 - 08.36.349, 10 (1) "direct supervision" means a dentist licensed in this state is in the 11 dental office, personally diagnoses the condition to be treated, personally authorizes 12 the procedure, and, before dismissal of the patient, evaluates the performance of the 13 dental assistant; 14 (2) "indirect supervision" means a dentist licensed in this state is in the 15 dental office, authorizes the procedures, and remains in the dental office while the 16 procedures are being performed by the dental assistant. 17  * Sec. 2. AS 08.36.370 is amended by adding new paragraphs to read: 18 (4) "calculus" means a hardened deposit of mineralized plaque; 19 (5) "coronal polishing" means the removal of supragingival plaque and 20 stains; 21 (6) "dental assistant" means a person employed to provide clinical 22 assistance to a dentist licensed in the state. 23  * Sec. 3. AS 08.32.110(d) is repealed.