- Home
- Practitioners
- Hygienist
- Hygienist Overview
Scope of Practice | LAWS & ADMINISTRATIVE RULES | Accepted Clinical Board Examinations | Dental Hygiene Applicant | Military and Military Spouses | Newly Licensed Hygienists | Name & Address Changes | Expanded Duties - Permits | Reporting or Self-Report
We Can Help You:
Scope of Practice
The Board recognizes that the delivery of dental hygiene duties may be fulfilled in various settings. The laws do not limit the avenue for delivery of care but instead outline requirements for the hygienist's 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 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 dentist's responsibility to determine the duties they may safely delegate to a hygienist. Dentists and hygiensts are encouraged to be fully familiar with the laws related to the pratice of dental hygiene found at NDCC ch. 43-20 and NDAC 20-04, including supervision requirements and scope of work.
RDH RDA CHART OF DUTIES - EXPANDED DUTIES
Accepted Clinical Board Examinations
The applicant has passed, within five years of application, a clinical competency examination administered by one of the following:
- Any regional dental testing service before September 17, 2009.
- Central Regional Dental Testing Service.
- Council of Interstate Testing Agencies.
- Commission on Dental Competency Assessments-Western Regional Examining Board; and
- American Board of Dental Examiners
New Applicants
- New license applicants: The application must be received by the Board office before any decision about qualifications can be made. 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complete the requirements for licensure within twelve months of the applications post mark, the application and fee are no longer valid.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.
Military Members or Military Spouses
Applicants who meet the criteria of a military member or military spouse may be registered through the process set forth at NDCC 43-51-11.1
New Licensees and Renewal of Licenses
Initial Licensure Fee vs. Biennial Renewal Fee:
- The initial license application fee is paid at the time an individual applies for licenure as a hygienist. to initiate administrative processes
- The renewal fee is paid at the time a hygienist renews their license.
- If a licensee fails to renew the license by December 31st of odd numbered years, the practitioner may not practice dental hygiene until they either late-renew, or are issued a license through the standard licensure application process or the re-entry process that is summarized immediately below. 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. If the hygienist does not late-renew by March 1st, the hygienst may still seek renewal by applying for renewal, paying the renwal fee, and paying twice the amount of the late renewal fee by the forthcoming December 31st.. A hygienist who does not renew by that December 31st may return to pracitice through either the application process explained in NDCC 43-20, or the re-entry process explained in NDAC 20-04-01-05.1.
- If you do not receive a renewal notice in the mail by November 15th of odd numbered years, call the Board immediately.
Permits
All permit applications must be approved by the Board's Executive Director of the Board prior to issue.
- ANESTHESIA PERMIT:
- A dental hygienist may be authorized by permit to provide dental anesthesia assistant duties under the direct supervision of a dentist authorized by permit to provide moderate sedation. Class I anesthesia permit requirements are explained at NDAC 20-04-01-01.2(1) and the Class I scope of duties is found NDAC 20-04-01-01.1(2). Class II anesthesia permit requirements are explained at NDAC 20-04-01-01.2(2) and the Class II scope of duties is found NDAC 20-04-01-01.1(3). Class I and Class II permits must be renewed at the same time the license to practice dental hygiene is renewed.
- Anesthesia Assistant Initial Application
- The Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination (DAANCE) is a two-part 36 hour continuing education program comprised of self-study material and a standardized computer based exam. The course is designed for auxiliary who assist a dentist or OMFS with a valid ND sedation or anesthesia permit. DAANCE certification is valid for five years. To recertify, assistants must retake the DAANCE examination every five years and maintain current BLS and/or ACLS certifications. Note: Online CPR certifications are not accepted. The course meets the requirements for a ND Class I Dental Anesthesia Assistant Permit.
- Sedation Consult, LLC: Allan Schwartz, DDS, CRNA provides a 3 day course, Monitoring Sedation/General Anesthesia & I.V. Certification meets the requirements for requirements of ND Class II Dental Anesthesia Assistant Permit.
- The American Dental Society of Anesthesiology is a two-day, 12 hour CE sedation course for auxiliaries featuring an in depth approach designed especially for those who work in general anesthesia and moderate sedation practices. The course provides a certificate for the completion of the CE but does not provide certification or testing therefore to achieve Permit I, the DAANCE exam would also be required.
- RESTORATIVE CARE PERMIT:
- A dental hygienist may be authorized by a permit to provide restorative functions under the direct supervision of a dentist. See NDAC 20-04-01-01.2(3). The scope of duties for that permit are set forth in NDAC 20-04-01-01.1(1). The permit must be renewed at the same time the license to practice dental hygiene is renewed.
- Download Restorative Functions Initial Application
- Approved course: The University of Minnesota course for Restorative Expanded Duties / 80-hour course.
- NITROUS OXIDE ADMINISTRATION PERMIT:
- LOCAL ANESTHETIC PERMIT:
Lasers
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, the dentist must be fully proficient and trained 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.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)
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.
Reporting or Self-Reporting
According to the NDBDE’s reporting laws, a licensee must report to the board in writing within sixty days of the event any arrest; illegal, unethical, or errant behavior or conduct, 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 arrest, 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 - Notice to Board (NDCC 43-20-12.2)
All hygienists and assistants (other than unregistered assistants) must notify the board of any new address within 30 days of the address change. The notice required under this section of law must be given by certified mail, return receipt requested. The individual may not practice in this state for more than thirty days after the change of address without complying with this section of the North Dakota Century Code. To download the form for name/address changes use this link. A name or address change cannot be taken by phone and must be submitted to the Board's office in writing. If you need a license mailed to you, please email the Board's office. The Board will no longer mail/send out new certificates. You may also print your registration certificate.
Name changes must be accompanied by a copy of the name change document (marriage license, section of the divorce decree, etc.) Make sure your changes include your current name. Your license/registration number is helpful, but not mandatory. NAME AND ADDRESS CHANGES WILL NOT BE COMPLETED OVER THE PHONE. Small license certificates are NO LONGER mailed out but may be printed from the Board's website..
Reprint of Large License Certificate
The Board charges $50 if you wish to have a new large certificate mailed to you. You must send a request for the certificate and a check or money order for $50 payable to NDSBDE and mail it to the address below. It may take up to 3 months to receive your new certificate.
