2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
Health Care
Article 35 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists
Part 1 - General Provisions
§ 12-35-128. Tasks authorized to be performed by dental assistants or dental hygienists

(1) (a) (I) Except as provided in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (a), the responsibility for dental diagnosis, dental treatment planning, or the prescription of therapeutic measures in the practice of dentistry remains with a licensed dentist and may not be assigned to any dental hygienist.

(II) A dental hygienist may:

(A) Perform dental hygiene assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, and dental hygiene treatment planning for dental hygiene services pursuant to section 12-35-124 (1) (f);

(B) Identify dental abnormalities for immediate referral to a dentist as described in section 12-35-124 (1) (f); and

(C) In collaboration with a licensed dentist, prescribe, administer, and dispense, as described in section 12-35-124 (1) (g): Fluoride; fluoride varnish; antimicrobial solutions for mouth rinsing; other nonsystemic antimicrobial agents; and resorbable antimicrobial agents pursuant to rules of the board.

(b) A dental procedure that involves surgery or that will contribute to or result in an irremediable alteration of the oral anatomy shall not be assigned to anyone other than a licensed dentist.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (1) of this section, a dental hygienist may perform any dental task or procedure assigned to the hygienist by a licensed dentist that does not require the professional skill of a licensed dentist; except that the dental hygienist may perform the task or procedure only under the indirect supervision of a licensed dentist or as authorized in sections 12-35-124 and 12-35-125.

(3) (a) A dental assistant shall not perform the following tasks:

(I) Diagnosis;

(II) Treatment planning;

(III) Prescription of therapeutic measures;

(IV) Any procedure that contributes to or results in an irremediable alteration of the oral anatomy;

(V) Administration of local anesthesia;

(VI) Scaling (supra and sub-gingival), as it pertains to the practice of dental hygiene;

(VII) Root planing;

(VIII) Soft tissue curettage;

(IX) Periodontal probing.

(b) A dental assistant may perform the following tasks under the indirect supervision of a licensed dentist:

(I) Smoothing and polishing natural and restored tooth surfaces;

(II) Provision of preventive measures, including the application of fluorides and other recognized topical agents for the prevention of oral disease;

(III) Gathering and assembling information including, but not limited to, fact-finding and patient history, oral inspection, and dental and periodontal charting;

(IV) Administering topical anesthetic to a patient in the course of providing dental care;

(V) Any other task or procedure that does not require the professional skill of a licensed dentist.

(VI) Repairing and relining dentures pursuant to a dental laboratory work order signed by a licensed dentist.

(c) A dental assistant may, under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in accordance with rules promulgated by the board, administer and monitor the use of nitrous oxide on a patient.

(d) (I) A dental assistant may perform intraoral and extraoral tasks and procedures necessary for the fabrication of a complete or partial denture under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. These tasks and procedures shall include:

(A) Making of preliminary and final impressions;

(B) Jaw relation records and determination of vertical dimensions;

(C) Tooth selection;

(D) A preliminary try-in of the wax-up trial denture prior to and subject to a try-in and approval in writing of the wax-up trial denture by the licensed dentist;

(E) Denture adjustments that involve the periphery, occlusal, or tissue-bearing surfaces of the denture prior to the final examination of the denture.

(II) The tasks and procedures in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (d) shall be performed in the regularly announced office location of a licensed practicing dentist, and the dentist shall be personally liable for all treatment rendered to the patient. A dental assistant performing these tasks and procedures shall be properly identified as a dental assistant. No dentist shall utilize more than the number of dental assistants the dentist can reasonably supervise.

(III) Prior to any work being performed pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (d), the patient shall first be examined by the treating dentist licensed to practice in this state who shall certify that the patient has no pathologic condition that requires surgical correction or other treatment prior to complete denture service.

(4) Repealed.

(5) The board may make such reasonable rules as may be necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of this section.