Employment, supervision, and practice of dental hygienists.

Dental hygienists shall work only under the direct supervision of a duly licensed dentist practicing in this state. Dental hygienists may perform any duties allowed by rule or regulation of the board and assist a licensed or permitted dentist in his or her practice. Any dental hygienist licensed by the board under this section who has completed the curriculum for dental hygienists at a dental school approved by the board shall have the right to use the title Registered Dental Hygienist or the abbreviation thereof, "R.D.H." appended to his or her name signifying the license conferred. The board may impose any of the penalties outlined in Section 34-9-18 against any dentist who shall permit any dental hygienist working under his or her supervision to perform any operation other than those permitted under this section, and may impose the penalties outlined in Section 34-9-18 against any dental hygienist who shall perform any operation other than those permitted under this section.

(Acts 1959, No. 100, p. 569, §36; Acts 1985, No. 85-697, p. 1120, §1; Acts 1993, No. 93-159, p. 241, §3; Act 2011-571, p. 1165, §1; Act 2013-252, p. 626, §1; Act 2018-274, §1.)