37-4-401. Practice of dental hygiene. The practice of dental hygiene is services, performed by a licensed preventive oral health practitioner known as a dental hygienist, that are educational, therapeutic, prophylactic, or preventive procedures in nature, as the board in writing defines and authorizes, and that may be performed under general supervision of a licensed dentist. The practice of dental hygiene also includes and the board shall authorize the administration of local anesthetic agents by a licensed dental hygienist certified by the board to administer the agents only under the direct supervision and authorization of a licensed dentist. However, this section does not allow the board or a licensed dentist to delegate any of the following duties:
(1) diagnosis, treatment planning, and prescription;
(2) surgical procedures on hard and soft tissues other than root planing and subgingival curettage;
(3) restorative, prosthetic, orthodontic, and other procedures which require the knowledge and skill of a dentist;
(4) prescription for drugs or medications or work authorizations.