45:6-48 - Short title
45:6-48. Short title
This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Dental Auxiliaries Act."
L.1979, c. 46, s. 1, eff. March 21, 1979.
45:6-49.Definitions2. For the purposes of this act:
a. "Board" means the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry.
b. "Registered dental assistant" means any person who has fulfilled the requirements for registration established by this act and who has been registered by the board. A registered dental assistant shall work under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
c. "Dental assistant" means any person who is trained by formal education or office internship to perform, under the direct supervision of a dentist, any routine office procedure, not including an intra-oral procedure, in the office of a dentist.
d. "Dental hygienist" means any person who performs in the office of any licensed dentist or in any appropriately equipped school, licensed clinic, or public or private institution under the supervision of a licensed dentist, those educational, preventive and therapeutic services and procedures which licensed dental hygienists are trained to perform, and which are specifically permitted by regulation of the board, and such intra-oral clinical services which are primarily concerned with preventive dental procedures, including, but not limited to, during the course of a complete prophylaxis, removing all hard and soft deposits and stains from the surfaces of the human teeth to the depth of the gingival sulcus, polishing natural and restored surfaces of teeth, applying indicated topical agents, surveying intra- and extra-oral structures, noting deformities, defects and abnormalities thereof, performing a complete oral prophylaxis and providing clinical instruction to promote the maintenance of dental health.
e. "Direct supervision" means acts performed in the office of a licensed dentist wherein he is physically present at all times during the performance of such acts and such acts are performed pursuant to his order, control and full professional responsibility.
f. "Supervision" means acts performed pursuant to a dentist's written order, control and full professional responsibility, whether or not he is physically present.
g. "Limited registered dental assistant" means any person who has fulfilled the requirements for registration established by this amendatory and supplementary act and who has been registered by the board. A limited registered dental assistant shall be limited to working under the direct supervision of a dentist who conducts a limited dental practice in the dental specialty for which the assistant has been trained and registered, and in performing those intra-oral procedures as defined by the board which are involved in that specialty.
L.1979,c.46,s.2; amended 1995,c.367,s.1.
45:6-50.Additional powers, duties of board
3. The board shall have the following additional powers and duties, under this act:
a. To examine, admit, and deny persons applying for admission to the practice of dental hygiene;
b. To issue licenses to practice dental hygiene;
c. To certify academic and clinical institutions and hospitals which educate and train persons for the practice of dental hygiene or dental assisting in accordance with standards substantially similar to those of the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation of Dental and Dental Auxiliary Educational Programs and Council on Hospital Dental Service and taking into consideration the advice of the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education and the New Jersey Department of Education;
d. To issue certificates of good standing to dental hygienists who hold a valid subsisting license to practice in this State;
e. To establish by rule or regulation, standards for the training and utilization of registered dental assistants and limited registered dental assistants;
f. To establish and recognize councils and committees which may advise and make recommendations to the board on various aspects of the education and practice for dental hygienists, registered dental assistants, limited registered dental assistants or dental assistants;
g. To prescribe expanded functions to be performed solely by dental hygienists and to be performed by dental hygienists, registered dental assistants and limited registered dental assistants under a single standard of proficiency necessary and proper to protect and promote the public health and welfare of the citizens of this State, and impose such restrictions and requirements, including the setting of educational prerequisites to the performance of such functions and the administration of examinations, as are necessary to insure adherence to the adopted standard of proficiency. Expansion and assignment of such functions, training and examination procedures shall be developed in consultation with the relevant advisory councils;
h. To adopt rules and regulations to achieve the objectives contemplated by this act, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.);
i. To do any and all other things which may be appropriate to achieve the objectives contemplated by this act, or which may be useful in executing any of the duties, powers or functions of the board.
L.1979,c.46,s.3; amended 1995,c.367,s.2.
45:6-50.1.Required training for dental assistant internship programs
10.The board shall establish by rule or regulation the required training which shall be included in dental assistant internship programs. An internship program for an individual seeking registration as a dental assistant shall include training in the intra-oral procedures that are performed in the office of a dentist licensed for general practice. The board shall establish a committee consisting of two board members and three licensed dentists which shall develop and monitor a satisfactory internship program for individuals seeking registration as a dental assistant.
L.1995,c.367,s.10.
45:6-50.2.Required training for limited dental assistant internship program 11.Upon the request of a recognized professional dental specialty society, the board shall establish by rule or regulation the required training which shall be included in a limited dental assistant internship program. An internship program for an individual seeking registration as a limited dental assistant shall include training in those intra-oral procedures that are performed in the office of a dentist who has received from the board a permit of limited dental practice in the specialty area for which the assistant seeks registration. The board shall establish a committee consisting of two board members and three licensed dentists which shall develop and monitor a satisfactory internship program for individuals seeking registration as a limited dental assistant.
L.1995,c.367,s.11.