AL Dental Jurisprudence key terms

The statutory set of acts reserved to licensed dentists, including diagnosing oral conditions, performing surgical or restorative procedures on teeth and tissues, and prescribing treatment for diseases of the mouth and jaws.

The state agency created by the Dental Practice Act that licenses dentists and hygienists, adopts administrative rules, investigates complaints, and imposes discipline for violations.

The Alabama statute that establishes the Board, defines who may practice dentistry and dental hygiene, sets licensing and renewal rules, and lists grounds for discipline.

Administrative rules adopted by the Board under statutory authority that fill in operational detail, such as infection control standards, sedation permits, and continuing education approval, and carry the force of law.

The boundary of tasks a licensee may legally perform given their license type, training, and any required supervision, drawn from statute and Board rule rather than from employer preference.

A licensee who, under the required level of dentist supervision, performs preventive and therapeutic services such as scaling, polishing, periodontal maintenance, and patient education, and may administer local anesthesia or nitrous oxide when specially permitted.

An auxiliary who assists the dentist or hygienist and may perform only those expanded functions the Board authorizes, always within the supervision level attached to each function.

A dental assistant who has completed Board-approved additional training and may perform specified advanced functions, such as coronal polishing or placing certain restorative materials, under the required supervision.

The dentist's assignment of a clinical task to a hygienist or assistant. A task may be delegated only if the Board permits it, the auxiliary is trained, and the required supervision level is met.

The degree of dentist involvement legally required while an auxiliary performs a task, ranging from the dentist being on the premises to the dentist merely being available by phone.

A supervision level requiring the dentist to be physically present in the office, to have authorized the procedure in advance, and to examine the patient before or after the service is delivered.

A supervision level in which the dentist has authorized the procedure and is in the office or building, but need not be in the treatment room while the auxiliary performs it.

The least restrictive supervision level, under which the dentist authorizes treatment but need not be on the premises, with the patient typically seen for follow-up evaluation within a set period.

The credential issued by the Board that authorizes a person to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in Alabama, subject to renewal and disciplinary conditions.

The periodic process by which a licensee pays a fee and demonstrates completion of required continuing education to keep the license active for the next cycle.

The minimum number of approved CE hours a licensee must complete each renewal period, including any mandated subject areas such as infection control or opioid prescribing, documented and subject to audit.

A license that has not been renewed by its deadline. Practicing on a lapsed license is unlawful and may require a late fee, reinstatement application, or Board action to cure.

A status a licensee may elect that keeps the license on record but bars practice until the licensee applies and qualifies for reactivation, often with CE or fee conditions.

The Board process by which a licensee from another jurisdiction may obtain an Alabama license based on their existing credential, often requiring an exam, credentials review, or licensure by credentials criteria.

The set of required practices, including hand hygiene, barrier use, and surface disinfection, intended to prevent transmission of pathogens between patients and staff in the dental setting.

A validated process that destroys all microbial life on reusable instruments, typically by steam autoclave, with monitoring such as spore testing and indicator strips to confirm effectiveness.

The infection-control approach treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, requiring gloves, masks, eye protection, and gowns as indicated for the task.

The clinical chart and related documentation the dentist must create and retain for each patient, reflecting findings, treatment, consent, and communications, kept accurate and legible.

The minimum period a dentist must keep patient records after the last treatment or after a patient reaches majority, whichever is later, as set by Board rule.

A patient's voluntary agreement to treatment after being told the diagnosis, proposed procedure, material risks, alternatives, and likely consequences, documented in the record.

The duty to protect patient health information from unauthorized disclosure, with exceptions such as required reporting, court order, or the patient's own release.

A statutory category of behavior that can support discipline, covering acts such as fraud, incompetence, practicing while impaired, aiding unlicensed practice, and failing to meet standards of care.

The enumerated statutory reasons the Board may revoke, suspend, restrict, or fine a licensee, such as conviction of certain crimes, negligence, or license fraud.

The procedural protections a licensee receives in a Board disciplinary case, including notice of charges, a hearing, the opportunity to present evidence, and an appealable written decision.

A negotiated resolution of a disciplinary matter in which the licensee accepts specified findings and sanctions, such as probation or CE, without a full contested hearing.

The dentist's lawful authority to order medications, including controlled substances, for dental conditions, requiring a valid dentist-patient relationship and compliance with drug laws.

A drug regulated under federal and state schedules because of abuse potential, which a dentist may prescribe only for legitimate dental purposes and with required registration and recordkeeping.

A state database that tracks dispensed controlled substances; dentists are expected to check it before prescribing certain drugs and to report as required by law.

A drug-induced depression of consciousness in which the patient responds purposefully to commands, permitted only under a Board-issued sedation permit with required training, equipment, and monitoring.

A Board credential authorizing a dentist to administer a specific level of sedation or anesthesia, contingent on training, facility standards, and inspection or documentation requirements.

Public communication about a dental practice that must be truthful and not misleading, with Board rules limiting deceptive claims, unsubstantiated superiority statements, and improper use of titles.

The requirement that advertised prices and treatment claims be accurate and not deceptive, so that patients are not misled about the cost or nature of services offered.

A title a dentist may use in advertising only when the dentist holds the corresponding recognized specialty credential; otherwise the dentist must advertise as a general dentist.

The business structure through which dental services are offered, which must comply with state rules on ownership, registration, and the requirement that dental care be provided by licensed dentists.