Ch. 221                                    2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

SUPERVISION THAT CLEARLY SETS FORTH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS UNDER
WHICH THE DENTAL HYGIENIST MAY PRACTICE, INCLUDING A STATEMENT THAT
THE DENTAL HYGIENIST MAY PROVIDE DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICES WITHOUT THE
SUPERVISING DENTIST ON THE PREMISES.

(4)      A DENTAL HYGIENIST MAY PERFORM AUTHORIZED DENTAL
HYGIENE SERVICES WITHOUT THE SUPERVISING DENTIST ON THE PREMISES ONLY
IF:

(I)      AFTER THE SUPERVISING DENTIST EXAMINES AND EVALUATES
A PATIENT, THE PRESCRIBED AND AUTHORIZED TREATMENT TO BE PROVIDED BY
THE DENTAL HYGIENIST IS WRITTEN IN THE PATIENT'S RECORDS;

(II)     1. TREATMENTS AUTHORIZED BY A SUPERVISING DENTIST
TO BE PROVIDED BY THE DENTAL HYGIENIST ARE RENDERED NO LATER THAN 7
MONTHS FROM THE DATE THE PATIENT WAS EXAMINED AND EVALUATED BY THE
SUPERVISING DENTIST; AND

2. UPON EXPIRATION OF A PRESCRIPTION OR PRESCRIBED
TREATMENT, THE SUPERVISING DENTIST EXAMINES AND REEVALUATES THE
PATIENT BEFORE WRITING A NEW PRESCRIPTION AND AUTHORIZATION FOR
TREATMENT;

(III)   PRIOR TO AN APPOINTMENT, THE PATIENT OR THE CUSTODIAL
PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF A MINOR OR INCOMPETENT ADULT SHALL:

1.       BE INFORMED THAT A DENTAL HYGIENIST WILL BE
PROVIDING SERVICES PREVIOUSLY PRESCRIBED BY A DENTIST WHO WILL NOT BE
ON THE PREMISES DURING THE APPOINTMENT; AND

2.       CONSENT TO RECEIVING THE DENTAL HYGIENE
SERVICES;

(IV)    WRITTEN EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ARE IN PLACE AND THE
DENTAL HYGIENIST IS TRAINED TO IMPLEMENT THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES;
AND

(V)     A DESIGNATED LICENSED DENTIST IS AVAILABLE FOR
CONSULTATION WITH THE DENTAL HYGIENIST; AND

(V) (VI) THE NUMBER OF UNSUPERVISED CLINICAL HOURS
WORKED BY A SUPERVISED DENTAL HYGIENIST IN ANY GIVEN CALENDAR WEEK IS
LESS THAN 60 PERCENT OF THE DENTAL HYGIENIST'S TOTAL HOURS.

(5)      A SUPERVISING DENTIST MAY NOT EMPLOY MORE THAN TWO
DENTAL HYGIENISTS TO WORK UNDER THE DENTIST'S GENERAL SUPERVISION AT
ANY GIVEN TIME.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2003.

Approved May 13, 2003.

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