Colorado § 12-220-504 - What constitutes practicing supervised dental hygiene - rules.

§ 12-220-504. What constitutes practicing supervised dental hygiene - rules.

(1) Notwithstanding section 12-220-501 (3), unless licensed to practice dentistry, a person who performs any of the following tasks under the supervision of a licensed dentist is deemed to be practicing supervised dental hygiene:

(a) Performing a task described in section 12-220-503 (1);

(b) Administering and monitoring inhalation anesthesia under the indirect supervision of a dentist consistent with section 12-220-305 (1)(q) and pursuant to the rules of the board regarding training and minimum education requirements;

(c) Utilizing a laser for dental hygiene purposes within defined scopes of practice in accordance with rules of the board;

(d) (I) Pursuant to rules adopted by the board, administering immunizations, under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist or the delegation of a licensed professional who is authorized to administer immunizations and delegate tasks under this title 12, to patients six years of age or older. The board may adopt rules specifying the minimum training requirements for dental hygienists to administer immunizations.

(II) A dental hygienist who administers immunizations shall:

(A) Not provide medical or nonmedical exemptions for any required immunizations;

(B) Enter all immunization-related administration information into the Colorado immunization information system created pursuant to part 24 of article 4 of title 25;

(C) Disclose their medical training related to pediatric administration, including the ability to manage side effects or adverse outcomes, to patients as part of the patient consent process;

(D) Administer only respiratory and oral health, including human papillomavirus, immunizations; and

(E) Distribute immunization educational materials and recommendations developed by the department of public health and environment to their patients.

(e) Administering neuromodulators and dermal fillers for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, or the delegation of a licensed physician or other delegated professional, pursuant to rules adopted by the board. The board shall adopt rules regarding the appropriate education and training, as applicable.

(f) Placing interim therapeutic restorations pursuant to section 12-220-505.

(2) A dental hygienist may perform any dental task or procedure assigned to the dental hygienist by a licensed dentist that does not require the professional skill of a licensed dentist; except that the dental hygienist may perform the task or procedure only under the indirect supervision of a licensed dentist or as authorized in sections 12-220-503 and 12-220-504.

Source: L. 2020: Entire article amended with relocations, (HB 20-1056), ch. 64, p. 257, § 1, effective September 14. L. 2021: (1)(c) and (1)(d) amended and (1)(e) repealed, (SB 21-102), ch. 31, p. 128, § 7, effective September 1. L. 2025: Entire section amended, (SB 25-194), ch. 171, p. 708, § 23, effective August 6.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-220-123 as it existed prior to 2020.