37-4-401. Practice of dental hygiene -- rulemaking. (1) (a) 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 defines and authorizes through rule, and that may be performed under general supervision of a licensed dentist.

(b) 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 under the general supervision and authorization of a licensed dentist.

(c) (i) The practice of dental hygiene also includes prescriptive authority limited to fluoride agents, topical oral anesthetic agents, and nonsystemic oral antimicrobials that:

(A) are not controlled substances; and

(B) do not require a license by the federal drug enforcement agency.

(ii) Prescriptive authority under this section must be:

(A) done under the general supervision of a licensed dentist or by a dental hygienist practicing with a limited access permit under public health supervision;

(B) pursuant to rules adopted by the board; and

(C) in compliance with applicable laws concerning prescription packaging, labeling, and recordkeeping requirements.

(iii) The board shall determine by rule the education and competency requirements required for dental hygiene prescriptive authority.

(iv) The board shall determine by rule the percentage of fluoride, chlorhexidine gluconate, or any other active ingredients in any medication that may be prescribed by a dental hygienist under this section.

(2) Subsection (1) does not allow the board or a licensed dentist to delegate any of the following duties:

(a) diagnosis, treatment planning, and prescription other than prescriptions authorized under subsection (1)(c);

(b) surgical procedures on hard and soft tissues other than root planing and subgingival curettage;

(c) restorative, prosthetic, orthodontic, and other procedures that require the knowledge and skill of a dentist;

(d) prescription for drugs or medications, other than those listed under subsection (1)(c); or

(e) work authorizations.