(A) "Authorized" means the supervising dentist in a private office setting has personally approved the procedures to be performed and is responsible for the care provided to the patient.

(B) In a private dental office setting, a dental hygienist may only perform the following functions under general supervision:

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 40-15-102

  • Department: means the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation;

    (5) "Director" means the Director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation or the director's official designee;

    (6) "Licensee" means a person granted an authorization to practice pursuant to this article and refers to a person holding a license, permit, certification, or registration granted pursuant to this article;

    (7) "Licensing act" means the individual statute or regulations, or both, of each regulated profession or occupation which include, but are not limited to, board governance, the qualifications and requirements for authorization to practice, prohibitions, and disciplinary procedures;

    (8) "Person" means an individual, partnership, or corporation;

    (9) "Profession" or "occupation" means a profession or occupation regulated or administered, or both, by the department pursuant to this article. See South Carolina Code 40-1-20

(1) oral prophylaxis and assessment;

(2) fluoride treatment;

(3) oral hygiene instruction and education;

(4) exposure and process of radiographs as directed by standard office protocol.

(C) A dentist in a private office setting may authorize general supervision only upon meeting the following criteria:

(1) a new patient of record must be clinically examined by the authorizing dentist during the initial visit;

(2) an appointed patient must be examined by the authorizing dentist at a minimum of twelve-month intervals.

(3) an appointed patient must be notified in advance of the appointment that he or she will be treated by the dental hygienist under general supervision without the authorizing dentist being present or being examined by the authorizing dentist.

(D) A dentist authorizing treatment by a dental hygienist in school settings or nursing home settings is subject to the general supervision restrictions provided for in this section unless the dentist or dental hygienist is working in a public health setting with the Department of Health and Environmental Control, as provided for in § 40-15-110.

(E) A dentist billing for services for treatment provided by a dental hygienist in a public health setting with the Department of Health and Environmental Control as provided for in § 40-15-110, is the provider of services and is clinically responsible for the care and treatment of the patient.

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