South Carolina § 40-15-82 - Procedures prohibited from delegation to dental hygienists.

§ 40-15-82. Procedures prohibited from delegation to dental hygienists.

The following functions and procedures must not be delegated to dental hygienists:

(1) dental examinations, dental diagnoses, and dental treatment planning;

(2) cutting or performing surgical procedures on hard and soft tissues;

(3) performing restorative, prosthetic, and orthodontic procedures and other procedures that require professional education and skill of the dentist;

(4) performing any intra-oral procedure that would affect the function or efficiency of an appliance which, when worn by the patient, would come in direct contact with hard or soft tissue;

(5) placing and carving permanent type restorations in or on teeth;

(6) making impressions and jaw relation records, other than study casts and opposing casts, that will be issued for construction of dental appliances, other than bleaching trays;

(7) making any and all corrections of malformation of teeth or the jaws;

(8) making decisions concerning drugs and their dosages and writing prescriptions or work authorizations, except pursuant to standing orders;

(9) administering general anesthesia or nitrous oxide analgesia;

(10) administering local anesthesia other than under direct supervision.

HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 45, SECTION 1.