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Although the title implies the subject matter is purely related to dentists, the Act pertains to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants. The Dental Practice Act therefore consists of Chapter 43-28, Chapter 43-28.1 and Chapter 43-20. Although Chapter 43-28, relates more specifically to the dentist it also applies to dental hygienists and dental assistants with equal force when applicable. Chapter 43-20 relates to dental hygienists and dental assistants. Chapter 43-28.1 is specifically the Dentists’ Loan Repayment Program.
Statute - North Dakota Century Code 43-28-01 through 43-28-27 - Dentist
Statute - North Dakota Century Code 43-28.1 - Dentist
Statute - North Dakota Century Code 43-20-01through 43-20-12 - Hygienist and Dental Assistant
How is a Rule different than the Law? Rules further clarify and define the laws contained in the Dental Practice Act. For example the laws governing a dental hygienist in Chapter 43-20 describe the dental hygiene scope of permitted practice. The Administrative Rules specifically describe what is included and excluded from the practice of dental hygiene in ND. Administrative rules have the force of law.
The Board cannot provide legal advice, however the rules and laws are straightforward leaving little room for interpretation.
NEW ADMINISTRATIVE RULES - Effective July 1, 2017 North Dakota Administrative Code 20-01 through 20-05
The Law and Rules Book contains all the law and rules mentioned above but is in one document easy to use document. You may use this to take the Jurisprudence exam or print it for your file.
43-28.1. Provides funding to support dentists providing dental services in cities or surrounding areas, or both in which the state health council identifies as having a defined need for dental services. Dentist must agree to accept medical assistance patients and assignments. For further information, see http://www.ndhealth.gov/pco/main.asp
ND Administrative Rules 20-02-01-09 - Retention of records: A dentist shall retain a patient's dental record for a minimum of six years after the patient's last examination, prescription, or treatment. Records for minors shall be retained for a minimum of either one year after the patient reaches the age of eighteen or six years after the patient's last examination, prescription, or treatment, whichever is longer. Proper safeguards shall be maintained to ensure safety of records from destructive elements. The requirements of this rule apply to electronic records as well as to records kept by any other means.
History: Effective April 1, 2006; amended effective January 1, 2011.
General Authority: NDCC 43-28-06 Law Implemented: NDCC 43-28-06
The Code of Ethics as defined in the Administrative Rules means the April 2016 version of the American Dental Association's Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. A violation of the Code of Ethics adopted by the Board by rule is grounds for disciplinary action. Two continuing education hours pertaining to Ethics and Jurisprudence is required for renewal of license and registration.
Pharmacy Laws | Pharmacy Guidelines | Medical Records | Professional Organizations | Reporting Abuse | Telehealth | Military Spouses
An oral transmission of a prescription drug may be accepted and dispensed by a pharmacist or licensed pharmacist intern if received from a practitioner, or a nurse licensed under Chapter 43-12.1 who is authorized by the practitioner to orally transmit the prescription, or a registered dental hygienist or a registered dental assistant who is authorized by the supervised dentist to orally transmit the prescription. The practitioner shall document the order for oral transmission in the patient's records. Only a licensed pharmacist or a licensed pharmacist intern or a registered pharmacy technician may receive an orally transmitted new or refill prescription.
1. The NDBDE (the board) shall grant on a case-by-case basis exceptions to the board's licensing standards to allow a military spouse to practice the occupation or profession in the state if upon application to the board:
a. The military spouse demonstrates competency in the occupation or profession through methods or standards determined by the board which must include experience in the occupation or profession for at least two of the four years preceding the date of application under this section; and
b. The board determines the issuance of the license will not substantially increase the risk of harm to the public. The board has authority to require an applicant to submit to a statewide and national criminal history record check under section 12-60-24 may order such a record check under this subdivision.
2. The board shall issue a provisional license or temporary permit to a military spouse for which the licensure requirements under subsection 1 have been substantially met. A board may not charge a military spouse any fees for a provisional license or temporary permit under this subsection. A provisional license or temporary permit issued under this subsection may not exceed two years and remains valid while the military spouse is making progress toward satisfying the unmet licensure requirements. A military spouse may practice under a provisional license or temporary permit issued under this subsection until any of the following occurs:
a. The board grants or denies the military spouse a North Dakota license under subsection 1 or grants a North Dakota license under the traditional licensure method;
b. The provisional license or temporary permit expires;
c. The military spouse fails to comply with the terms of the provisional license or temporary permit; or
d. The board revokes the provisional license or temporary permit based on a determination revocation is necessary to protect the health and safety of the residents of the state.
3. The board that may elect to subject the board to this chapter under subsection 1 of section 43-51-01 may issue a license, provisional license, or temporary permit to a military spouse in the same manner as provided under subsections 1 and 2 regardless of whether the board has adopted rules to subject the board to this chapter.
4. A military spouse issued a license under this section has the same rights and duties as a licensee issued a license under the traditional licensure method.
5. If within thirty days of receipt of a completed application under subsection 1 the board does not grant or deny a license under subsection 1 or does not issue a provisional license or temporary permit under subsection 2, the board automatically shall issue a provisional license or temporary permit. A provisional license or temporary permit issued under this subsection remains valid until the board grants or denies the application for licensure under subsection 1 or issues a provisional license or temporary permit under subsection 2.
The Board frequently answers questions raised by consumers and dental practitioners regarding the transfer of dental records. Practitioners are confused regarding when a fee can be charged to a patient who requests a transfer of dental record. While both sections discuss transfer of record, Section (1) provides for a patient who transfers his/her record to another practitioner. In this the provider must transfer all records free of charge. Section (2) provides for the patient who authorizes a release of records to anyone other than a healthcare provider for the purpose of continuation of treatment. Examples of this scenario include transfer of record to an attorney, insurance company or other entity.
A professional corporation must file an annual report with the Secretary of State:
If a domestic corporation (incorporated according to North Dakota laws) on or before August 1st of each year. The first annual report is due in the year following that in which the Secretary of State initially chartered the corporation. If a foreign corporation (incorporated according to laws of another jurisdiction other than North Dakota) on or before May 15th of each year. The first annual report is due in the year following that in which the corporation was initially authorized to transact business by the Secretary of State. On the form prescribed by the Secretary of State. If the corporation did not receive an annual report form, the form can be obtained from this website, or contact the Secretary of State’s office for another form. A copy of the report filed with the Secretary of State must also be supplied to the regulatory board that issued the professional licenses to the officers and shareholders who practice in North Dakota.
Patient Records | Laser Technology | Mercury-free Dentistry | Record Keeping | Teeth Whitening Services
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Board's position and laws regarding the ownership and release of patient records. The American Dental Association calls upon dentists to follow high ethical standards who have the benefit of the patient as their primary goal. Failure to release a copy of the patient record upon request of the patient or the patient's parent/legal guardian to do so is grounds for discipline pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 43-28-18 and NDCC § 23-12-14.
Record, defined: A patient record includes any document or combination of documents that pertains to a patient's medical/dental history, diagnosis, prognosis, or medical/dental condition, and that is generated and maintained in the process of the patient's dental treatment. Patient records include:
A patient record should not include:
Ownership: Patient records belong to the treating practitioner; however, the patient has an absolute right to a copy of his/her patient records.
Costs: This obligation to provide a copy of records exists whether or not the patient's account is paid in full. Since the patient has an absolute right to a copy of his/her records, a dentist may not ignore a request for records due to an unpaid balance for services rendered. Further, a dentist cannot demand payment for copies up front. The dentist may add the fee ( provided the costs are provided for in NDCC 23-12-14) for copies to the unpaid balance, and include this in any claim for reimbursement, but records cannot be held hostage for payment of any kind.
Disclaimer: Nothing in this policy supercedes the confidentiality requirements outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Further these statements does not apply to records subpoenaed for the North Dakota State Board of Dental Examinations investigation/enforcement purposes as those requests are exempted from the protections under HIPPA.
It is the position of the Board that any services provided by a licensee, regardless of the devise used, must be within the scope of practice for each licensee. Whenever a new treatment modality is brought forward, it is the Board’s policy that the dentist must have equal or greater proficiency and training in the technology. Licensees utilizing the new technology must maintain documentation of the satisfactory completion of the formal continuing education or training. The particular technology utilized does not alter the fact that the dentist is ultimately responsible.
There are no rules or regulations in place that would prohibit a licensee from discussing the pros and cons of specific filling materials with a patient. The Board does not regulate the filling materials used as long as the treatment rendered conforms to the standard of care and is the appropriate treatment for the diagnosis. As is the approach of this Board regarding mercury-free dentistry and other professional practice related areas, the Board makes determinations within its disciplinary jurisdiction. This is consistent with the mandated mission of the Board, which is to assure that licensees practice in an ethical and competent manner that is appropriate to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
Review with the patient the current scientific data on the safety of dental amalgams – that there is no evidence that amalgams pose a significant health risk to non-allergic patients and that no known health benefits result from the removal of dental amalgams. Provide the same data for the alternative materials suggested for use.
Although the State Board of Dental Examiners recognizes the right of the patient to request removal of amalgam dental fillings by a licensed dentist, the dentist may not make a diagnosis of mercury toxicity nor make a claim that removal of amalgam dental fillings will result in a cure, alleviation, or improvement, of any systemic medical condition. If a dentist believes that amalgam dental materials may be detrimental to a patient's medical health, it is incumbent upon the dentist to make a referral to a licensed physician for examination and evaluation of the suspected medical condition.
Although no statute or rule is currently in place for record keeping, laws outlining transferring of records and retention of records do exist in the Administrative Rules (Chapters 20-02-01-08 and 20-02-01-09). Recent laws require transfer of the record within 10 business days. A good record protects the patient and the provider. A dentist’s recollection of events is not likely to be adequate for a subsequent provider, review by the NDSBDE, insurance claims, or a jury. Common record keeping errors seen by the NDBDE during its administrative processes with licensees include:
Pursuant to the North Dakota Century Code "Practice of dentistry" means examination, diagnosis, treatment, repair, administration of local or general anesthetics, prescriptions, or surgery of or for any disease, disorder, deficiency, deformity, discoloration, condition, lesion, injury, or pain of the human oral cavity, teeth, gingivae, and soft tissues, and the diagnosis, surgical, and adjunctive treatment of the diseases, injuries, and defects of the upper and lower human jaw and associated structures.” [See N.D.C.C. 43-28-01(7) https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t43c28.pdf?20130906111204 ].
The Board (North Dakota Board of Dental Examiners) interprets the law as it pertains to the teeth whitening services to mean treatment or repair of the discoloration of teeth, as the practice of dentistry. The law is not broadly interpreted by the Board, therefore, an individual who purchases products for personal home use (e.g., Crest Whitestrips®) would not be in violation of the North Dakota Century Code. Likewise, the purchase of products such as hair coloring, etc. for personal home use is not prohibited.
Although teeth whitening services are similar to products available for purchase in drug stores or online, the Board, whose role is to protect the public, contends that it is reasonable to require a level of training for teeth whitening, which might include adverse reactions and for which infection control and sterilization procedures are imperative.
The Board of Dental Examiners jurisdiction lies specifically with the regulation of those who hold a dental license, dental hygiene license or dental assisting registration. Therefore a complaint received by the Board against an individual who is not licensed by or regulated by the Board, who provides teeth whitening services to the public (or the unlawful practice of dentistry), is referred to the ND States Attorney’s Office.
Bloodborne Infectious Disease Resources including Post-Exposure Procedures Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)
Bloodborne infectious Disease Resources including Post-Exposure Guidelines Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Medical Waste
Sharps Waste and other Mailable Regulated Medical Waste United States Postal Service
OSHA Safety and Health Topics for Healthcare Facilities OSHA Safety - Healthcare Facilities
Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee General Guidelines HICPAC