Pennsylvania Code
Title 49 - PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL STANDARDS
Part I - DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Subpart A - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS
Chapter 33 - STATE BOARD OF DENTISTRY
Subchapter C - MINIMUM STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND PRACTICE
Section 33.215 - Use of lasers in the dental office-statement of policy
Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) Background and purpose. The use of lasers in experimental and institutional settings has raised questions with regard to using this technology in the dental office. In addressing this issue, the Board has been mindful of its principal mandate: protection of the public. Section 4.1(a)(8) and (9) of the act (63 P. S. § 123.1(a)(8) and (9)) authorizes the Board to take disciplinary action against licensees who engage in unprofessional conduct or who commit acts of negligence, incompetence or malpractice. The use of lasers may implicate both provisions by, for example, generating complaints of incompetent treatment or treatment that fails to conform to acceptable standards of practice. The Board offers the following guidelines to assist its licensees in conforming their behavior to the act. In a disciplinary action brought against a dentist for treatment involving a laser, the Board will consider whether these guidelines were followed.
(b) Guidelines. A dentist who uses a laser in private practice shall:
