New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Den - State Board of Registration of Funeral Directors and Embalmers
Chapter Den 300 - LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Part Den 302 - QUALIFICATIONS AND SUPERVISION
Section Den 302.08 - Certified Public Health Dental Hygienist (CPHDH)

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules Den 302.08

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) Any dental hygienist shall be considered qualified as a CPHDH after:

(1) Obtaining a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene with a minimum of 6 semester hours in community dental health;

(2) Obtaining a master's degree in public health; or

(3) Successfully completing the following courses which are offered by a continuing education provider as defined in Den 403.07(a)(1) and by successful completion of an examination by the course provider:
a. Caries stabilization in the public health setting which:
1. Is a minimum of 6 hours; and

2. Includes at least the following:
(i) Indications for interim therapeutic restorations (ITRs);

(ii) Appropriate technique for placing ITRs;

(iii) Variables that influence the success of ITRs;

(iv) Selection of intermediary materials for specific restoration; and

(v) Characteristics and handling of intermediary materials and follow-up coding;

b. Evidence based dentistry which:
1. Is a minimum of 4 hours; and

2. Includes at least the following:
(i) Evidence based approach to dental treatment;

(ii) Applying evidence based theory to public health practice; and

(iii) Hands-on computer experience relevant to practice;

c. Infection control in public health settings which:
1. Is a minimum of 4 hours; and

2. Includes at least the following:
(i) Lecture and hands on experience;

(ii) Review of latest infection control procedures in dentistry; and

(iii) Proper asepsis techniques while working in non-traditional settings;

d. Medical management in public health dental settings which:
1. Is a minimum of 6 hours; and

2. Includes at least the following:
(i) Both lecture and hands-on learning;

(ii) Systemic conditions and diseases with emphasis on dental hygiene treatment planning;

(iii) Management of dental and medical emergencies in alternative dental settings; and

(iv) Pharmacology review of current therapy for the most common disease states with an emphasis on high-risk patients; and

e. Management of medical records which:
1. Is a minimum of 4 hours; and

2. Includes at least the following:
(i) Legal requirements for medical records;

(ii) Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA);

(iii) Guidance in drafting a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA); and

(iv) New Hampshire law for reporting patient abuse.

(b) The following shall apply to qualification as a CPHDH:

(1) All CPHDHs shall have:
a. Practiced as a dental hygienist for 3200 hours, 1600 hours of which shall be within the 2 years prior to certification;

b. Completed a course in caries stabilization that is a minimum of 6 hours as outlined in (a)(3)a; and

c. Qualified in dental sealants pursuant to Den 302.05(h), if similar training was not received as part of the dental hygiene school curriculum;

(2) Hygienists qualifying as a CPHDH by completing the courses specified in (a)(3) above shall complete the courses within the 4 years prior to certification, or if they are already working in a public health setting, within 4 years of this rule becoming effective;

(3) Documented proof of the completion of all requirements shall be retained by both the collaborating dentist and hygienist, and submitted to the board for certification;

(4) Hygienists who have qualified as a CPHDH, prior to practicing as such, shall have a written collaborative agreement with a dentist with an active New Hampshire dental license to practice under the dentist's supervision;

(5) Hygienists who have qualified as a CPHDH, prior to practicing as such, shall register with the board and submit proof of the required training and experience, as well as a fee to obtain certification from the board;

(6) CPHDHs shall comply with duties listed in RSA 317-A:21-e;

(7) CPHDHs shall display at his or her place of practice proof of certification approved by the board;

(8) Hygienists who have been granted certification as a CPHDH shall renew certification in odd-numbered years before May 1st;

(9) CPHDHs who fail to renew their certification before May 1st of odd-numbered years, pursuant to RSA 317-A:13, shall be subject to a late fee pursuant to Den 301.08; and

(10) CPHDHs who fail to renew their certification before May 1st of odd-numbered years, pursuant to RSA 317-A:13, shall be subject to a reinstatement fee for lapsed certification pursuant to Den 301.08.

(c) Each applicant for certification to practice as a CPHDH in the state of New Hampshire shall provide the following on the "Application for CPHDH Certification" form:

(1) Applicant's name;

(2) Applicant's date of birth;

(3) Applicant's place of birth;

(4) Applicant's social security number, pursuant to RSA 161-B:11, VI-a;

(5) Any other name by which the applicant has been known;

(6) Applicant's current business and residential addresses, telephone numbers, and primary email address, either business or personal;

(7) Name of supervising dentist;

(8) Whether the applicant's BLS-HCP certification is current, and if so, provide proof;

(9) Applicant's level of education including:
a. Original transcripts of master's degree in public health, and certificates of completion showing compliance with course requirements set forth in Den 302.08(a);

b. Original transcripts of bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, with a minimum of 6 hours in community dental health, and certificates of completion showing compliance with course requirements set forth in Den 302.08(a); or

c. Registered dental hygienist, without either a master's degree in public health or bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, shall submit certificates of completion for those courses required by Den 302.08(a) and (b);

(10) Applicant's educational background, including proof that the applicant has:
a. Practiced as a dental hygienist for 3200 hours, 1600 hours of which shall be within the 2 years prior to certification;

b. Completed a course in caries stabilization that is a minimum of 6 hours as outlined in Den 302.08(a)(3)(a);

c. Qualified in dental sealants pursuant to Den 302.05(h), if similar training was not received as part of the dental hygiene school curriculum; and

d. Completed an approved course in infection control in public health settings as outlined in Den 302.08(a)(3)c.; and

(11) An unmounted passport-type photograph of the applicant shall be:
a. Attached to the form;

b. Taken not more than 6 months before the date on the application; and

c. No smaller than 2 and 1/2 inches square.

(d) The form shall be signed by the applicant, notarized, and filed with the board. Deceptive or false statements, knowingly made by the applicant, shall result in denial of a CPHDH certificate. By signing the form, the applicant shall waive any confidentiality regarding disclosure to the board from any other jurisdiction about any pending complaints or action being taken against the applicant's license to practice as a CPHDH.

(e) The form shall be accompanied by the following documents:

(1) A check or money order made payable to the "Treasurer, State of New Hampshire" for the application fee specified in Den 301.08, or if presented in person, the payment may be in cash; and

(2) A letter confirming whether the applicant has a written collaborative agreement with a dentist with an active New Hampshire dental license to practice under the dentist's supervision.

#10991, eff 12-9-15; renumbered by #12428 (formerly Den 302.07)

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