37-4-101. Definitions -- practice of dentistry. (1) Unless the context requires otherwise, in this chapter, the following definitions apply:
     (a) "Board" means the board of dentistry provided for in 2-15-1842.
     (b) "Conscious sedation" means a minimally depressed level of consciousness in which the patient breathes normally without assistance, retains protective reflexes, and responds to physical stimulation or verbal command in a manner appropriate to the patient's cognitive level. Conscious sedation is not a form of general anesthesia, and brief interludes of unconsciousness during conscious sedation do not bring conscious sedation within the scope of general anesthesia.
     (c) "Department" means the department of commerce provided for in Title 2, chapter 15, part 18.
     (d) "General anesthesia" means a state of unconsciousness intentionally produced by anesthetic agents, with absence of pain sensation over the entire body and a greater or lesser degree of muscular relaxation. The drugs producing this state can be administered by inhalation, intravenously, intramuscularly, or via the gastrointestinal tract. General anesthesia is divided into:
     (i) full general anesthesia, which means a level of consciousness in which the patient is without intact protective reflexes, is unable to maintain an airway, and is incapable of rational response to query or command; and
     (ii) light general anesthesia, which means a level of consciousness in which the patient breathes normally without assistance and retains protective reflexes throughout most of the procedure.
     (e) "General anesthetic" means any recognized anesthetic agent, sedative, hypnotic, tranquilizer, or narcotic used in sufficient prescribed dosages for the purpose of inducing general anesthesia. The term does not include a nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture or any other anesthetic administered to produce conscious sedation.
     (2) Except for the provisions of 37-4-104, a person is "practicing dentistry" under this chapter if the person:
     (a) performs, attempts, advertises to perform, causes to be performed by the patient or any other person, or instructs in the performance of dental operations, oral surgery, or dental service of any kind gratuitously or for a salary, fee, money, or other remuneration paid or to be paid, directly or indirectly, to the person, any other person, or any agency;
     (b) is a manager, proprietor, operator, or conductor of a place where dental operations, oral surgery, or dental services are performed, unless the person is the personal representative of the estate of a deceased dentist or the personal representative of a disabled dentist, as provided in 37-4-104;
     (c) directly or indirectly, by any means or method, furnishes, supplies, constructs, reproduces, or repairs a prosthetic denture, bridge, appliance, or other structure to be worn in the human mouth;
     (d) places the appliance or structure in the human mouth or attempts to adjust it;
     (e) advertises to the public, by any method, to furnish, supply, construct, reproduce, or repair a prosthetic denture, bridge, appliance, or other structure to be worn in the human mouth;
     (f) diagnoses, professes to diagnose, prescribes for, professes to prescribe for, treats, or professes to treat disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of human teeth, jaws, or adjacent structures;
     (g) extracts or attempts to extract human teeth or corrects, attempts, or professes to correct malpositions of teeth or of the jaw;
     (h) gives or professes to give interpretations or readings of dental roentgenograms;
     (i) administers an anesthetic of any nature, subject to the limitations provided in 37-4-511, in connection with a dental operation;
     (j) uses the words "dentist", "dental surgeon", or "oral surgeon", the letters "D.D.S.", "D.M.D.", or any other words, letters, title, or descriptive matter that in any way represents the person as being able to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or operate for any disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of human teeth, jaws, or adjacent structures;
     (k) states, advertises, or permits to be stated or advertised, by sign, card, circular, handbill, newspaper, radio, or otherwise, that the person can perform or will attempt to perform dental operations or render a diagnosis in connection with dental operations; or
     (l) engages in any of the practices included in the curricula of recognized dental colleges.

     History: (1)En. 66-901.1 by Sec. 77, Ch. 350, L. 1974; Sec. 66-901.1, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 10, Ch. 48, L. 1935; re-en. Sec. 3115.10, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 38, L. 1941; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 34, L. 1961; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 352, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 83, Ch. 350, L. 1974; Sec. 66-910, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 66-901.1, 66-910(1); amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 274, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 363, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 518, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 151, L. 1997.