Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
A dental hygienist working under the appropriate supervision
of a licensed dentist shall perform the following tasks:
(1) Assessment, which must include:
(a) Documentation of patient history.
(i) Recording current and past dental oral
health care; and
(ii) Collection of
health history data including the patient's:
(A) Current and past health status;
(B) Pharmacologic considerations;
(C) Additional considerations;
(D) Record vital signs and compare with
previous readings; and
(E)
Consultation with appropriate health care provider(s) as indicated.
(b) A comprehensive
clinical evaluation:
(i) An inspection of the
head and neck and oral cavity including an oral cancer screening, evaluation of
trauma and a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) assessment;
(ii) Evaluation for further diagnostics
including radiographs;
(iii)
Comprehensive periodontal evaluation that includes the documentation of:
(A) Full mouth periodontal charting:
(I) Probing depths;
(II) Bleeding points;
(III) Suppuration;
(IV) Mucogingival relationship and
defects;
(V) Recession;
(VI) Attachment level or loss.
(B) Presence, degree and
distribution of plaque and calculus;
(C) Gingival health and disease;
(D) Bone height and bone loss;
(E) Mobility and fremitus;
(F) Presence, location and extent of
furcation involvement; and
(G) A
comprehensive hard tissue evaluation that includes the charting conditions and
oral habits to include:
(I) Demineralization;
(II) Caries;
(III) Defects;
(IV) Sealants;
(V) Existing restorations and potential
needs;
(VI) Anomalies;
(VII) Occlusion;
(VIII) Fixed and removable prostheses;
and
(IX) Missing teeth.
(c) Risk
assessments.
(2) A
dental hygiene analysis of assessment findings. The dental hygienist shall:
(a) Analyze and interpret all assessment data
to evaluate clinical findings and formulate the dental hygiene care
plan;
(b) Determine patient needs
that can be improved through the delivery of dental hygiene care; and
(c) Incorporate the dental hygiene care plan
into the overall dental treatment plan.
(3) Dental hygiene care planning. The dental
hygienist shall:
(a) Identify, prioritize and
sequence dental hygiene intervention;
(b) Coordinate resources to facilitate
comprehensive quality care;
(c)
Collaborate with the dentist and other health and dental care providers and
community-based oral health programs;
(d) Present and document dental hygiene care
plan to patient;
(e) Explain
treatment rationale, risks, benefits, anticipated outcomes, treatment
alternatives, and prognosis; and
(f) Obtain and document informed consent or
informed refusal.
(4)
Care plan implementation. The dental hygienist shall:
(a) Review and implement the dental hygiene
care plan with the patient or caregiver;
(b) Modify the plan as necessary and obtain
consent;
(c) Communicate with
patient or caregiver appropriate for age, language, culture and learning style;
and
(d) Confirm the plan for
continuing care.
(5)
Dental hygiene evaluation. The dental hygienist shall:
(a) Use measurable assessment criteria to
evaluate the outcomes of dental hygiene care;
(b) Communicate to the patient, dentists and
other health/dental care providers the outcomes of dental hygiene care;
and
(c) Collaborate to determine
the need for additional diagnostics, treatment, referral education and
continuing care based on treatment outcomes and self-care behaviors.
Statutory Authority:
RCW
18.29.130,
18.29.076 and
18.130.050. 92-02-018 (Order 224),
§ 246-815-160, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority:
RCW
43.70.040. 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified
as § 246-815-160, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority:
RCW
18.29.076 and
18.130.050(12).
89-16-096 (Order PM 858), § 308-25-170, filed 8/2/89, effective
9/2/89.
