Scope of Practice | NEW ADMINISTRATIVE RULES | Accepted Clinical Board Examinations | Dental Hygiene Applicant | Coronavirus | Military Spouses | Newly Licensed Hygienists | Name & Address Changes | Expanded Duties - Permits | Reporting or Self-Report | RDH Refresher Course
Chapter 20-01-01 ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD
Chapter 20-02-01 DENTISTS - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Chapter 20-03-01 DENTAL ASSISTANTS - DUTIES
Chapter 20-04-01 DENTAL HYGIENISTS - DUTIES
The ND Board of Dental Examiners recognizes that the delivery of dental hygiene duties may be fulfilled in various settings. The Board does not limit the avenue for delivery of care, rather supervision and scope of practice. The dental hygiene license is a privilege granted by the Board to those who demonstrate professional competency and knowledge of ethics and laws governing the profession. Although the dental hygienist provides dental hygiene care under the general supervision of a dentist, the dental hygienist is accountable to be competent for all dental hygiene services provided. Nonetheless, individual competency and experience levels vary among professionals, therefore it is the supervising dentists prerogative to determine the duties the hygienist will be authorized to provide. A licensed dental hygienist may In accordance with Chapter 43-20-03 provide dental hygiene duties as defined under Admin. Rules Ch. 20-04-01-01, while under the general supervision of a dentist as defined in NDCC 43-28-01(5) and is permitted to provide dental hygiene services as delegated by the supervising dentist that the licensed dental hygienist knows he/she is competent to perform. A licensed dentist is not permitted to delegate to a licensed dental hygienist dental services or dental supportive services that the licensed dentist knows or has reason to know that the licensed dental hygienist is not qualified by training, experience or by licensure to perform. Protocols, services to be performed, and record keeping shall not supersede any law or regulation which require dental hygiene duties to be performed under the indirect or direct supervision of a dentist
RDH RDA CHART OF DUTIES - EXPANDED DUTIES
Can hygienists do anything more to prevent transmission in the dental office? Common sense recommendations: Include temperature readings as part of your routine assessment of the patient before starting your procedure. Ask patients about international travel, include any signs or symptoms of infection when you update their medical histories. Use high speed evacuation for procedures producing an aerosol. Are you using the autoclave for your handpieces after each patient? Ask your patient to rinse with 1% hydrogen peroxide before each appointment. Coronavirus is vulnerable to oxidation; this will reduce the salivary load of oral microbes. For more information from the CDC click here. or this webpage regarding COVID and variants.
New license applicants: The application must received by the Executive Director of the Board at least thirty days before the Board meeting at which it is considered. The applicant shall enclose with the application a recent autographed picture of the applicant and an application fee as determined by the Board by rule. NDCC § 43-28-11. Application fees are nonrefundable.
Initial applications must be completed within twelve months and accompanied by the appropriate fee. If an applicant fails to complete the requirements for licensure within twelve months of the applications post mark, the application and fee are no longer valid. Applications which are not notarized, submitted without the required licensing fee, or without the applicant’s signed photo will be returned.
Clinical competency board exams accepted by the NDBDE are CRDTS, CITA, CDCA-WREB and the ADEX exam. Manikin based clinical competency board exams are accepted.
The Board investigates an applicant’s fitness, qualification, and previous professional record and performance. The Board may seek information from recognized data sources, including the National Practitioners Data Bank, liability insurers, health care institutions, and law enforcement agencies. The Board requires initial license applicants to submit to a statewide and nationwide criminal history check.
For information from the ND State College of Science course for ADMINISTRATION of nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia (follow link).
Both fees are required in order to obtain and maintain a license and registration. The initial license application fee is paid to initiate administrative processes and verifications that must be completed by the Board's administrative office. The renewal fee, grants the license for the following two year period. Failure to pay the renewal fee will cause the license to expire.
If a licensee fails to renew the license by December 31st of odd numbered years, the practitioner may not practice dental hygiene. It is illegal to practice dental hygiene without a valid license.
Within 60 days after December 31st of the odd-numbered year, an expired license may be renewed by submitting the renewal application, the application fee, late fee and proof of continuing education, the license may not be renewed and the dental hygienist must apply for and meet the requirements for licensure to be granted a license.
If you do not receive a renewal notice in the mail by November 15th of odd numbered years, call the Board immediately.
Requirements of Temporary License for Military Spouses
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:
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:
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.
A hygienist who wishes to administer block and infiltration anesthesia must complete the application for authorization. The expanded function may only be delegated to a hygienist under the direct supervision of a dentist and may only be utilized for a patient who is at least eighteen years old. A hygienist may terminate or reduce the amount of nitrous oxide previously administered by the dentist. The local anesthesia application must be approved by the Board.
Download Local Anesthesia Permit Application
The Board may issue a permit authorizing a dental hygienist under the direct supervision to provide restorative duties if the applicant successfully completes the following:
Restorative procedures allowed under direct supervision of a dentist are as follows:
The University of Minnesota offers a ND Board approved course for Restorative Expanded Duties / 80 hour course. Successful completion of this course qualifies a registered dental hygienist or registered dental assistant for application of the Restorative Procedures Permit.
Restorative Functions Initial Application
A dental hygienist may provide anesthesia assistance under the supervision of a dentist authorized by permit to provide sedation or anesthesia services once the applicant successfully completes the following:
A dental hygienist authorized by permit may provide the following duties under contiguous supervision of a dentist authorized by permit to provide sedation or anesthesia services:
A dental hygienist authorized by permit may provide the following duties under direct visual supervision of a dentist authorized by permit to provide sedation or anesthesia services:
Anesthesia Assistant Initial Application
The use of lasers continues to be a popular treatment modality in dentistry. It is the position of the Board that any services provided by a licensee, regardless of the device 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. Neither the particular technology utilized nor amendments to scope of practice alter the fact that all licensees are responsible for their individual actions with the dentist ultimately responsible for all care provided in each dental office. Contact the Board office if you have questions about the regulations governing the practice of dental hygiene in North Dakota. A permit is not required.
Rules authorizing the administration of fluoride are silent on specifics or types of anticariogenic agents and desensitizing solutions. For this reason, dental hygienists are authorized to apply SDF. As with any authorized duty provided by a dental hygienist (or any other practitioner) it is incumbent upon the practitioner to become educated with a product, administration of a product or procedure. As noted with lasers, all licensees are responsible for their individual actions with the dentist being ultimately responsible for all care provided in each dental office.
According to the NDBDE’s reporting laws, a licensee must report to the board in writing within sixty days of the event any illegal, unethical, or errant behavior or conduct of the dentist, including malpractice judgements or settlements or final judgment for or against the licensee, a final disposition by a licensing agency in another state, territory, or country; all proceedings, of formal or informal actions by a governmental agency; a law enforcement agency; or a court for an act or conduct that would constitute grounds for discipline.
If you have a conviction, or any other incident to report as required by application, send with the application supporting documentation and/or certified copies of all court documents related to the matter discussed in the petition. Documentation includes, as applicable, a copy of any assessment or evaluation and recommendations for treatment, criminal charges, reported offenses, police reports, judgments, dispositions of criminal complaint, dispositions of offenses, final dispositions, court orders, actions pending, and deferred judgments. Not doing so may delay the licensing process.
Name and address changes must be submitted in writing or by email, info@nddentalboard.org. Name changes must be accompanied by a copy of the name change document (marriage license, section in the divorce decree, etc.) Make sure your changes include your current name. For name changes, a new perforated card will be mailed to you at no charge. If renewal is coming up for you soon, it will be sent when your renew your license/registration. Your license/registration number is helpful, but not mandatory. NOTE: NAME AND ADDRESS CHANGES WILL NOT BE DONE OVER THE PHONE.
Reprint of Large License Certificate
The Board charges $45 if you wish to have a new large certificate mailed to you. The Board only signs certificates at quarterly meetings. You must send a request for the certificate and a check or money order for $45 payable to NDBDE.
