A dental hygienist working under the appropriate supervision of a licensed dentist shall perform the following tasks:
(1) Assessment, which must include:
(a) Documentation of patient history.
(i) Recording current and past dental oral health care; and
(ii) Collection of health history data including the patient's:
(A) Current and past health status;
(B) Pharmacologic considerations;
(C) Additional considerations;
(D) Record vital signs and compare with previous readings; and
(E) Consultation with appropriate health care provider(s) as indicated.
(b) A comprehensive clinical evaluation:
(i) An inspection of the head and neck and oral cavity including an oral cancer screening, evaluation of trauma and a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) assessment;
(ii) Evaluation for further diagnostics including radiographs;
(iii) Comprehensive periodontal evaluation that includes the documentation of:
(A) Full mouth periodontal charting:
(I) Probing depths;
(II) Bleeding points;
(III) Suppuration;
(IV) Mucogingival relationship and defects;
(V) Recession;
(VI) Attachment level or loss.
(B) Presence, degree and distribution of plaque and calculus;
(C) Gingival health and disease;
(D) Bone height and bone loss;
(E) Mobility and fremitus;
(F) Presence, location and extent of furcation involvement; and
(G) A comprehensive hard tissue evaluation that includes the charting conditions and oral habits to include:
(I) Demineralization;
(II) Caries;
(III) Defects;
(IV) Sealants;
(V) Existing restorations and potential needs;
(VI) Anomalies;
(VII) Occlusion;
(VIII) Fixed and removable prostheses; and
(IX) Missing teeth.
(c) Risk assessments.
(2) A dental hygiene analysis of assessment findings. The dental hygienist shall:
(a) Analyze and interpret all assessment data to evaluate clinical findings and formulate the dental hygiene care plan;
(b) Determine patient needs that can be improved through the delivery of dental hygiene care; and
(c) Incorporate the dental hygiene care plan into the overall dental treatment plan.
(3) Dental hygiene care planning. The dental hygienist shall:
(a) Identify, prioritize and sequence dental hygiene intervention;
(b) Coordinate resources to facilitate comprehensive quality care;
(c) Collaborate with the dentist and other health and dental care providers and community-based oral health programs;
(d) Present and document dental hygiene care plan to patient;
(e) Explain treatment rationale, risks, benefits, anticipated outcomes, treatment alternatives, and prognosis; and
(f) Obtain and document informed consent or informed refusal.
(4) Care plan implementation. The dental hygienist shall:
(a) Review and implement the dental hygiene care plan with the patient or caregiver;
(b) Modify the plan as necessary and obtain consent;
(c) Communicate with patient or caregiver appropriate for age, language, culture and learning style; and
(d) Confirm the plan for continuing care.
(5) Dental hygiene evaluation. The dental hygienist shall:
(a) Use measurable assessment criteria to evaluate the outcomes of dental hygiene care;
(b) Communicate to the patient, dentists and other health/dental care providers the outcomes of dental hygiene care; and
(c) Collaborate to determine the need for additional diagnostics, treatment, referral education and continuing care based on treatment outcomes and self-care behaviors.
