§ 5-31.1-31. Dental assistant — Definition — Practices allowed.
(a) As used in this chapter, a “dental assistant” is any person not licensed under the provisions of this chapter who performs dental services, procedures, or duties in aid of a licensed and registered dentist.
(b) No dental assistant shall perform any service, procedure, or duty that constitutes the practice of dentistry unless authorized by rules and regulations adopted by the board of examiners in dentistry, and unless that dental service, procedure, or duty is performed under the supervision of a dentist licensed and registered in this state. The board of examiners in dentistry shall establish any classifications of dental assistants that are recognized by the American Dental Association, American Dental Assistants Association, and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and to each class the board shall apply any of the rules and regulations permitted under this section that the board deems appropriate.
(c) Nothing in this section is construed to authorize a dental assistant to perform the following: diagnosis and treatment planning, surgical procedures on hard or soft tissue, prescribe medication, or administer injectable and/or general anesthesia, except as set forth in subsection (d) of this section.
(d) An oral and maxillofacial surgeon holding a permit issued by the board for the administration of general anesthesia/deep sedation may employ and utilize the services of a DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant in accordance with the following criteria:
(1) Satisfactory evidence of completion of a DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant training course prepared and administered by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and recertification in the DAANCE training program every five (5) years;
(2) Completion of a board of examiners in dentistry-approved advanced cardiac life support course and recertification in advanced cardiac life support every two (2) years;
(3) The valid general anesthesia permit by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon where the assistant will be performing his or her services;
(4) Direct supervision by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon holding a valid general anesthesia/deep sedation permit;
(5) The oral and maxillofacial surgeon shall remain immediately available in the facility for the patient and the DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant for evaluation and treatment until the patient meets discharge criteria;
(6) The member of the surgical team who is assigned to monitoring the patient may not have any other responsibilities while monitoring the patient under general anesthesia/deep sedation;
(7) The licensed provider will be responsible for the patient’s recovery;
(8) Peri-operative monitoring consisting of at least continuous electrocardiogram, monitoring of blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and end tidal carbon dioxide consistent with published national standards adopted by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in conjunction with the American Society of Anesthesiologists;
(9) The conclusion of the peri-operative monitoring period shall be at the discretion of the licensed provider, using the modified Aldrete scale/scoring system. The patient may then be transferred to a discharge area and shall no longer require continuous monitoring.
(e) Authorized functions — Supervision.
(1) Any DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant meeting the criteria of this section shall perform the functions authorized in this chapter only by delegation of authority from the oral and maxillofacial surgeon and under the supervision, as described in subsections (e)(2) and (e)(3) of this section, and provided the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is acting within the scope of his or her license. The responsibility for monitoring a patient and determining the selection of the drug, dosage, and timing of all anesthetic medications rests solely with the oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
(2) Under direct supervision, the DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant may:
(i) Discontinue an intravenous line for a patient who has received intravenous medications, sedation, or general anesthesia;
(ii) Adjust the rate of intravenous fluids infusion only to maintain or keep the line patent or open; and
(iii) Make medications readily available for review, inspection, and use by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
(3) Under direct visual supervision, the DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assistant may:
(i) Follow instructions to prepare and assist in the administration of medications;
(ii) Adjust the rate of intravenous fluids infusion beyond a keep-open rate;
(iii) Adjust an electronic device to provide medications, such as an infusion pump; and
(iv) Assist with preparation/delivery/infusion/administration of emergency medications to a patient in order to assist the oral and maxillofacial surgeon in an emergency.
(4) Any oral and maxillofacial surgeon delegating duties under this section must have a valid general anesthesia/deep sedation permit.
History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
Chapter 5-31.1 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists
Section 5-31.1-1. - Definitions.
Section 5-31.1-2. - Board of examiners in dentistry — Members — Compensation — Funds.
Section 5-31.1-3. - Examining committees.
Section 5-31.1-4. - Powers and duties of the board of examiners in dentistry.
Section 5-31.1-5. - Power of the director.
Section 5-31.1-6. - License to practice — Qualifications of applicants — Fee — Reexamination.
Section 5-31.1-6.1. - Dental hygienists and dental assistants.
Section 5-31.1-7. - Recertification — Continuing dental education.
Section 5-31.1-8. - Refusal of licensure.
Section 5-31.1-9. - Immunity from suit.
Section 5-31.1-10. - Unprofessional conduct.
Section 5-31.1-11. - Complaints.
Section 5-31.1-12. - Specification of charges.
Section 5-31.1-13. - Time and notice of hearing.
Section 5-31.1-14. - Subpoenas — Contempt.
Section 5-31.1-15. - Report of hearing.
Section 5-31.1-16. - Decision of the board.
Section 5-31.1-17. - Sanctions.
Section 5-31.1-18. - Appeal from the decision of the director of the department of health.
Section 5-31.1-19. - Grounds for discipline without hearing.
Section 5-31.1-21. - Biennial registration.
Section 5-31.1-22. - Limited registrations.
Section 5-31.1-23. - Limited registration — Academic faculty — Fees.
Section 5-31.1-24. - Violations — Penalties.
Section 5-31.1-25. - Injunction of violations.
Section 5-31.1-26. - Severability.
Section 5-31.1-27. - Dental peer review.
Section 5-31.1-28. - Hospital disciplinary powers.
Section 5-31.1-29. - Privileges and immunities for peer review activities.
Section 5-31.1-30. - Licensure required — Dental assistants excepted.
Section 5-31.1-31. - Dental assistant — Definition — Practices allowed.
Section 5-31.1-32. - Disclosure of nonparticipation in dental insurance plans.
Section 5-31.1-33. - Employment of hygienists — Practices allowed.
Section 5-31.1-34. - Immunity from liability.
Section 5-31.1-35. - Penalty for violations generally — Evidence of unauthorized practice.
Section 5-31.1-36. - Liability of employers and accomplices.
Section 5-31.1-37. - Persons and practices exempt.
Section 5-31.1-38. - Advertising.
Section 5-31.1-39. - Public health hygienists.
Section 5-31.1-40. - Telemedicine in the practice of dentistry.