Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists by the Board of Dental Examiners of Nevada. (Chapter 631 of NRS) Existing law authorizes a licensed dentist to assign certain tasks to a dental assistant, who is not required to have a license. (NRS 631.313, 631.317) Sections 4-8 of this bill provide for the licensure and regulation of expanded function dental assistants. Sections 2, 3 and 3.5 of this bill define the terms “expanded function dental assistance,” “expanded function dental assistant” and “restorative dental hygiene,” respectively. Section 10 of this bill makes a conforming change to indicate the proper placement of sections 2, 3 and 3.5 in the Nevada Revised Statutes. Section 4 requires a person to be over 18 years of age to be eligible to apply for a license to practice expanded function dental assistance. Section 5 of this bill requires an applicant for such a license to: (1) possess certain education and experience; (2) hold a current certification in the techniques of administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and (3) pass a written clinical examination and a written jurisprudence examination administered by the Board. Section 6 of this bill authorizes a person who is licensed in another state and possesses certain other qualifications to apply for a license by endorsement as an expanded function dental assistant. Section 6 authorizes the Board to require such an applicant to complete such additional training as is necessary for the applicant to be able to practice expanded function dental assistance with the same degree of competence as a person licensed pursuant to section 5. Section 6.5 of this bill requires the Board to issue a special endorsement to practice restorative dental hygiene to a dental hygienist who has an active license in good standing to practice dental hygiene in this State and has successfully completed a course on restorative dental hygiene. Section 7 of this bill requires an expanded function dental assistant or a dental hygienist with a special endorsement to practice restorative dental hygiene to work under the authorization of a dentist and prescribes certain requirements governing the supervision of an expanded function dental assistant. Section 8 of this bill prescribes the services and procedures an expanded function dental assistant or dental hygienist with a special endorsement to practice restorative dental hygiene is authorized to perform. Section 22 of this bill requires the Board to adopt regulations governing the practice of: (1) expanded function dental assistants; and (2) dental hygienists who hold a special endorsement to practice restorative dental hygiene. Section 25 of this bill requires the Board to adopt regulations governing continuing education in expanded function dental assistance. Section 26 of this bill prescribes certain fees relating to licensure as an expanded function dental assistant, which are equal to similar fees that apply to dental hygienists. Section 36 of this bill prescribes certain activities that constitute the illegal practice of expanded function dental assistance, and section 39 of this bill makes it a crime to practice expanded function dental assistance without a license. It is also a crime to practice restorative dental hygiene without the proper special endorsement. (NRS 631.400) Sections 11-20, 21, 23, 24, 27-35, 37-40, 42-45, 47 and 48 of this bill make revisions to certain existing provisions so that expanded function dental assistants are treated in the same manner as similar providers of oral health care in various respects. Existing law: (1) provides for the issuance of a special endorsement as a public health dental hygienist to a dental hygienist who possesses certain qualifications; and (2) authorizes the holder of such an endorsement to provide services without the authorization or supervision of a dentist under certain circumstances. (NRS 631.287) Sections 20.5 and 42 of this bill authorize a public health dental hygienist to authorize an expanded function dental assistant or a dental assistant to perform certain tasks as part of an approved program of public health dental hygiene. Existing law authorizes a dental hygienist to perform only those services which are authorized by a dentist, unless otherwise provided by a regulation adopted by the Board. (NRS 631.310) Sections 9, 41 and 46 of this bill authorize a dental hygienist who possesses certain qualifications to prescribe and dispense only certain drugs that are not controlled substances and are used for preventative treatment and devices used for such treatment. Section 9 prohibits such a dental hygienist from prescribing or dispensing any controlled substance or any other drug or device that is not listed in section 9. Section 9 requires the Board to adopt regulations prescribing continuing education for a dental hygienist who prescribes and dispenses the drugs and devices listed in section 9. Section 40.5 of this bill: (1) requires a dental hygienist to obtain a certification from the State Board of Pharmacy to possess, prescribe and dispense dangerous drugs and devices pursuant to section 9; and (2) authorizes the State Board of Pharmacy to deny a dental hygienist application for such a certificate or grant the certificate but limit the ability of a dental hygienist to possess, prescribe and dispense dangerous drugs and devices.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 631.005, 631.070, 631.115, 631.130, 631.190, 631.215, 631.220, 631.225, 631.260, 631.271, 631.274, 631.313, 631.317, 631.330, 631.340, 631.342, 631.345, 631.3452, 631.3455, 631.346, 631.3465, 631.3475, 631.3485, 631.3487, 631.350, 631.360, 631.395, 631.396, 631.397, 631.400, 632.472, 639.0125, 653.430, 200.471, 200.5093, 439.2713, 454.00958, 454.213, 695D.040
Reprint 1: 631.005, 631.070, 631.115, 631.130, 631.190, 631.215, 631.220, 631.225, 631.260, 631.271, 631.274, 631.287, 631.313, 631.317, 631.330, 631.340, 631.342, 631.345, 631.3452, 631.3455, 631.346, 631.3465, 631.3475, 631.3485, 631.3487, 631.350, 631.360, 631.395, 631.396, 631.397, 631.400, 632.472, 639.0125, 653.430, 200.471, 200.5093, 439.2713, 454.00958, 454.213, 695D.040
Reprint 2: 631.005, 631.070, 631.115, 631.130, 631.190, 631.215, 631.220, 631.225, 631.260, 631.271, 631.274, 631.287, 631.313, 631.317, 631.330, 631.340, 631.342, 631.345, 631.3452, 631.3455, 631.346, 631.3465, 631.3475, 631.3485, 631.3487, 631.350, 631.360, 631.395, 631.396, 631.397, 631.400, 632.472, 639.0125, 653.430, 200.471, 200.5093, 439.2713, 454.00958, 454.213, 695D.040
As Enrolled: 631.005, 631.070, 631.115, 631.130, 631.190, 631.215, 631.220, 631.225, 631.260, 631.271, 631.274, 631.287, 631.313, 631.317, 631.330, 631.340, 631.342, 631.345, 631.3452, 631.3455, 631.346, 631.3465, 631.3475, 631.3485, 631.3487, 631.350, 631.360, 631.395, 631.396, 631.397, 631.400, 632.472, 639.0125, 653.430, 200.471, 200.5093, 439.2713, 454.00958, 454.213, 695D.040
BDR: 631.005, 631.070, 631.115, 631.130, 631.190, 631.215, 631.220, 631.225, 631.260, 631.271, 631.274, 631.313, 631.317, 631.330, 631.340, 631.342, 631.345, 631.3452, 631.3455, 631.346, 631.3465, 631.3475, 631.3485, 631.3487, 631.350, 631.360, 631.395, 631.396, 631.397, 631.400, 632.472, 639.0125, 653.430, 200.471, 200.5093, 439.2713, 454.00958, 454.213, 695D.040