Alaska Statutes.
Title 8. Business and Professions
Chapter 32. Dental Hygienists and Assistants
Section 125. Advanced Practice Permits.
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AS 08.32.125. Advanced Practice Permits.

(a) The board may issue an advanced practice permit to a licensed dental hygienist with a minimum of 4,000 documented hours of clinical experience. A licensed dental hygienist holding an advanced practice permit may

(1) promote oral health and provide disease prevention education and oral systemic health education;

(2) remove calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from the surfaces of the teeth beginning at the epithelial attachment by scaling and polishing techniques;

(3) apply topical preventive or prophylactic agents, including silver diamine fluoride, fluoride varnishes, and pit and fissure sealants;

(4) remove marginal overhangs;

(5) perform preliminary charting and triage to formulate a dental hygiene assessment and dental hygiene treatment plan;

(6) expose and develop radiographs;

(7) use local periodontal therapeutic agents;

(8) perform nonsurgical periodontal therapy;

(9) screen for oral cancer;

(10) if certified by the board, administer local anesthetic agents;

(11) prescribe

(A) fluoride that is applied or provided to a patient; and

(B) chlorhexidine or a similar antibacterial rinse; and

(12) delegate dental operations and services to a dental assistant as provided in AS 08.36.346.

(b) A licensed dental hygienist holding an advanced practice permit may provide the services described in (a) of this section to a patient who is unable to access dental treatment because of age, infirmity, or disability and is

(1) a resident in a senior center, including a hospital, long-term care facility, adult foster home, residential care facility, or adult congregate living facility;

(2) a resident in a health care facility, including a mental health residential program or facility for individuals with developmental or other disabilities;

(3) held in a local correctional facility for juveniles or adults;

(4) enrolled in a nursery school, day care program, vocational training facility, primary school, secondary school, private school, or public charter school;

(5) entitled to benefits under 42 U.S.C. 1786 (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children);

(6) homebound; or

(7) a resident of a dental health professional shortage area designated under 42 U.S.C. 254e.

(c) A licensed dental hygienist holding an advanced practice permit may provide the services described in (a) of this section to a patient described in (b) of this section without

(1) the physical presence, authorization, or supervision of a licensed dentist;

(2) a licensed dentist's examination of the patient.

(d) A licensed dental hygienist who provides services under an advanced practice permit shall maintain professional liability insurance and provide the patient, or the parent or legal guardian of the patient, with

(1) a written notice that the treatment provided will be limited to services permitted under (a) of this section;

(2) a written recommendation that the patient be examined by a licensed dentist for comprehensive oral health care services; and

(3) assistance in obtaining a referral to a licensed dentist for further dental planning and treatment, including a written description of methods for obtaining a referral and a list of licensed dentists in the patient's community or other resources for finding a licensed dentist.

(e) An advanced practice permit is valid until the expiration of the dental hygienist's license to practice. A licensed dental hygienist may renew an advanced practice permit at the time of license renewal under AS 08.32.071.

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