Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
Notwithstanding any other rule provision to the contrary, a
dentist may delegate remedial intraoral restorative functions to a Dental
Hygienist in strict compliance with the provisions of this rule. All functions
delegated under this rule shall be performed under direct supervision.
(1) Delegable Restorative Functions: After a
dentist has prepared a tooth, a dentist may delegate to a dental hygienist, who
has met the mandatory training requirements of this rule, the task of placing,
packing and contouring amalgam and composite restorations and the fitting and
contouring of stainless-steel crowns (tasks). However, a dental hygienist shall
not permanently cement stainless steel crowns.
(a) The tasks shall only be performed using a
slow speed handpiece and hand instruments.
(b) The delegating dentist shall not
supervise more than four (4) dental hygienists or dental assistants in
combination who are simultaneously performing the tasks pursuant to this rule
or a rule authorizing the same or similar delegable tasks for dental
assistants.
(c) The delegating
dentist shall ensure that the patient's dental chart is annotated to reflect
the initials of the dental hygienist who performed the tasks.
(d) The delegating dentist shall also ensure
that the patient's dental chart reflects that the final restoration was
verified by the delegating dentist and the result of the verification shall
also be documented.
(2)
Mandatory Training Course Prerequisites: To be eligible to be admitted into the
mandatory training course required in subsection (3), a dental hygienist
(Candidate) shall meet the following conditions:
(a) The Candidate shall be at least 18 years
of age.
(b) The Candidate shall be
a high school graduate or have a High School Equivalency Certificate.
(c) The Candidate shall have a current Basic
Life Support for Healthcare Provider certificate.
(d) The Candidate shall have an active
unrestricted dental hygiene license from any U.S. state or territory. The
Candidate shall have never had a dental hygiene license suspended or revoked in
any jurisdiction.
(e) Within 24
months prior to being admitted to the mandatory training course in subsection
(3), the Candidate must have documented proof of 2, 400 hours of clinical work
experience in either a dental office or as an educator of dental hygiene or is
a graduate of a dental hygiene program, accredited by a dental accrediting
entity recognized by the United States Department of Education, within 24
months prior to being admitted to the mandatory training course.
(f) All students must have a delegating
dentist to enroll in the program. The commitment of the delegating dentist is
to supervise and evaluate a portion of their clinical requirements and submit a
report to the CE provider.
(g) The
delegating dentist must attend a two-hour online interactive video conference
mandatory training on the Laws and Rules of Remediable Restorative Functions,
and calibration of the clinical requirements and
procedures.
(3) Mandatory
Training Course: The mandatory training course shall be offered by a dental or
dental hygiene school or program that is accredited by a dental accrediting
entity recognized by the United States Department of Education. The training
course must be specifically designed and implemented to comply with the
provisions of this rule. The training program shall ensure that the candidate
meets all the qualifications in subsection (2) before accepting the candidate
into the training program. At a minimum, the training shall include and contain
the following:
(a) 85 clock hours including a
minimum of 5 hours dedicated to preclinical didactic hours, and a clinical
portion consisting of a minimum 55 hours dedicated to simulated lab and a
minimum of 25 hours dedicated to live patients, divided in 12 clinical hours
with the delegating dentist, and 13 clinical hours at the course provider
institution. The pre-clinical didactic hours may be offered online. At the
completion of the preclinical didactic hours, the course shall require the
passing of an initial written examination prior to the clinical portion of the
training. A passing score shall require a score of 75 percent or
above.
(b) A clinical and lab
session for Amalgam Restorations Class I, II, and V, which shall include live
patients.
(c) A clinical and lab
session for Composite Restorations Class I, II, III, and V, which shall include
live patients.
(d) A lab case-based
clinical scenario session to size, fit and contour, but not permanently cement,
stainless steel crowns.
(e) The
training program shall verify competency by requiring an exit or final written
examination and clinical examination that includes live patients. The written
portion of the examination shall include a section covering the Laws and Rules
of Dentistry in Florida. A passing score shall require a 75 percent or above on
both the written and clinical examination and the examinations shall not be
weighted to achieve an overall score of 75 percent or better. The clock hours
dedicated to the exit or final written and clinical examination shall not count
towards the required minimum 85 total clock hours required by the
course.
(f) Upon the successful
completion of the training course, a certificate of successful completion of
the Restorative Function Course shall be issued.
(4) Documentation of Training: A Dentist who
delegates tasks pursuant to this rule shall ensure that a copy of the
Restorative Function Course training certificate is immediately available at
the location where tasks are delegated, and the certificate shall be produced
by the dentist when requested by the Board Office or any authorized
inspector.
(5) Responsibility: The
delegating and supervising dentist shall remain fully responsible for all
delegated tasks and for ensuring that the dental hygienist meets the training
requirements of this rule.
(6) This
rule shall be reviewed, and if necessary, repealed, modified, or renewed
through the rulemaking process five years from the effective
date.
Rulemaking Authority
466.004(4),
466.024 FS. Law Implemented
456.013,
466.024
FS.
New 6-26-19, Amended
9-11-23.
