Ohio § 4715.22

Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 4715.22, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 4715.22.

(A)(1) This section applies only when a licensed dental hygienist is not practicing in accordance

with either of the following: (a) A permit issued pursuant to section 4715.363 of the Revised Code authorizing practice under the oral health access supervision of a dentist; (b) Section 4715.431 of the Revised Code . (2) As used in this section, “ health care facility ” means either of the following: (a) A hospital registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code ; (b) A home, as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code . (B) A licensed dental hygienist shall practice under the supervision, order, control,

and full responsibility of a dentist licensed under this chapter.  A dental hygienist may practice in a dental office, public or private school, health

care facility, dispensary, or public institution.  Except as provided in divisions (C) to (E) of this section, a dental hygienist may

not provide dental hygiene services to a patient when the supervising dentist is not

physically present at the location where the dental hygienist is practicing. (C) A dental hygienist may provide, for not more than fifteen consecutive business days,

dental hygiene services to a patient when the supervising dentist is not physically

present at the location where the services are provided if all of the following requirements

are met: (1) The dental hygienist has at least one year and a minimum of one thousand five hundred

hours of experience in the practice of dental hygiene. (2) The dental hygienist has successfully completed a course approved by the state dental

board in the identification and prevention of potential medical emergencies. (3) The dental hygienist does not perform, while the supervising dentist is absent from

the location, procedures while the patient is anesthetized, definitive root planing,

definitive subgingival curettage, or other procedures identified in rules the state

dental board adopts. (4) The supervising dentist has evaluated the dental hygienist's skills. (5) The supervising dentist examined the patient not more than one year prior to the

date the dental hygienist provides the dental hygiene services to the patient. (6) The dental hygienist complies with written protocols or written standing orders that

the supervising dentist establishes, including those established for emergencies. (7) The supervising dentist completed and evaluated a medical and dental history of the

patient not more than one year prior to the date the dental hygienist provides dental

hygiene services to the patient and, except when the dental hygiene services are provided

in a health care facility, the supervising dentist determines that the patient is

in a medically stable condition. (8) If the dental hygiene services are provided in a health care facility, a doctor of

medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery licensed under Chapter 4731.

of the Revised Code or a registered nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised

Code is present in the health care facility when the services are provided. (9) In advance of the appointment for dental hygiene services, the patient is notified

that the supervising dentist will be absent from the location and that the dental

hygienist cannot diagnose the patient's dental health care status. (10) The dental hygienist is employed by, or under contract with, one of the following: (a) The supervising dentist; (b) A dentist licensed under this chapter who is one of the following: (i) The employer of the supervising dentist; (ii) A shareholder in a professional association formed under Chapter 1785. of the Revised

Code of which the supervising dentist is a shareholder; (iii) A member or manager of a limited liability company formed under Chapter 1705. or

1706. of the Revised Code of which the supervising dentist is a member or manager; (iv) A shareholder in a corporation formed under division (B) of section 1701.03 of the Revised Code of which the supervising dentist is a shareholder; (v) A partner or employee of a partnership or a limited liability partnership formed

under Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code of which the supervising dentist

is a partner or employee. (c) A government entity that employs the dental hygienist to provide dental hygiene services

in a public school or in connection with other programs the government entity administers. (D) A dental hygienist may provide dental hygiene services to a patient when the supervising

dentist is not physically present at the location where the services are provided

if the services are provided as part of a dental hygiene program that is approved

by the state dental board and all of the following requirements are met: (1) The program is operated through a school district board of education or the governing

board of an educational service center;  the board of health of a city or general

health district or the authority having the duties of a board of health under section 3709.05 of the Revised Code ;  a national, state, district, or local dental association;  or any other public

or private entity recognized by the state dental board. (2) The supervising dentist is employed by or a volunteer for, and the patients are referred

by, the entity through which the program is operated. (3)(a) Except as provided in division (D)(3)(b) of this section, the services are performed

after examination and diagnosis by the dentist and in accordance with the dentist's

written treatment plan. (b) The requirement in division (D)(3)(a) of this section does not apply when the only

services to be provided by the dental hygienist are the placement of pit and fissure

sealants and the application of fluoride varnish. (E) A dental hygienist may do any of the following when the supervising dentist is not

physically present at the location where the services are provided, regardless of

whether the dentist has examined the patient, if the dental hygienist is employed

by, or under contract with, the supervising dentist or another person or government

entity specified in division (C)(10)(b) or (c) of this section: (1) Apply fluoride varnish; (2) Apply desensitizing agents, excluding silver diamine fluoride; (3) Apply disclosing solutions; (4) Apply pit and fissure sealants; (5) Recement temporary crowns or recement crowns with temporary cement; (6) Conduct caries susceptibility testing; (7) Provide instruction on oral hygiene home care, including the use of toothbrushes

and dental floss; (8) Discuss general nonmedical nutrition information for the purpose of maintaining good

oral health. As used in division (E)(8) of this section, “ general nonmedical nutrition information ” means information on the following:  principles of good nutrition and food preparation,

food to be included in the normal daily diet, the essential nutrients needed by the

body, recommended amounts of the essential nutrients, the actions of nutrients on

the body, the effects of deficiencies or excesses of nutrients, or food and supplements

that are good sources of essential nutrients. (F) No person shall do either of the following: (1) Practice dental hygiene in a manner that is separate or otherwise independent from

the dental practice of a supervising dentist; (2) Establish or maintain an office or practice that is primarily devoted to the provision

of dental hygiene services. (G) The state dental board shall adopt rules under division (C) of section 4715.03 of the Revised Code identifying procedures a dental hygienist may not perform when practicing in the

absence of the supervising dentist pursuant to division (C) or (D) of this section.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 4715.22

What does Ohio Revised Code § 4715.22 cover?

Section 4715.22 is part of the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutory law of Ohio. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Ohio § 4715.22?

A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 4715.22" (Ohio). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Ohio law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Ohio official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Ohio attorney.

How does Ohio § 4715.22 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Ohio can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Ohio.