AR Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Dental Practice Act

Arkansas statute that creates the State Board of Dental Examiners and defines the lawful practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, including licensure and discipline authority.

Scope of dental hygiene

The statutory list of services a licensed hygienist may perform, such as assessment, prophylaxis, scaling, radiographs, and sealants, within the applicable supervision level.

Unlicensed practice

Providing dental hygiene services without a current valid license, which is unlawful and subject to injunction, criminal penalty, and administrative action.

Diagnosis reservation

The rule that only a licensed dentist may diagnose and prescribe treatment; hygienists may record findings but cannot independently diagnose.

Board composition

The statutory makeup of the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners, including dentist members, at least one dental hygienist, and consumer members appointed by the Governor.

Board rulemaking authority

The Board's power to adopt regulations implementing the Dental Practice Act, exercised under the Administrative Procedure Act with notice, comment, and filing.

Board investigative power

Authority to investigate complaints, subpoena records and witnesses, inspect practice sites, and require licensee cooperation, with failure to cooperate being sanctionable.

Quasi-judicial function

The Board's authority to conduct hearings, make findings, and impose sanctions on licensees, subject to statutory notice and due process requirements.

Licensure examination requirements

Candidates must pass a recognized clinical or regional examination, the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, and the jurisprudence examination, plus graduate from an accredited program.

Licensure by credentials

A pathway allowing a hygienist licensed and in good standing elsewhere to obtain an Arkansas license based on verified education, experience, and examination history rather than re-examination.

Application misrepresentation

Providing false or misleading information on a licensure application, which is grounds for denial of licensure or later disciplinary action against the licensee.

License as personal privilege

A license is granted to an individual, cannot be transferred or sold, and must be produced or displayed on demand by the Board or its agents.

Renewal requirements

Each renewal cycle requires a completed application, correct fee, and verified continuing education hours, including any Board-mandated subject areas such as infection control.

Continuing education audit

The Board may require licensees to produce certificates documenting claimed continuing education hours; inability to document is treated as noncompliance and grounds for discipline.

Lapsed license consequences

Practicing after expiration is unlicensed practice; reinstatement typically requires penalty fees, proof of continuing education, and possibly an examination.

Inactive license status

A non-practicing status obtained by request and fee; the licensee may not practice until reactivated, which may require additional continuing education or fees.

Direct supervision

A supervision level requiring the dentist to be physically present in the office and to examine the patient or authorize the specific service as required by rule.

General supervision

A supervision level in which the dentist has authorized the services and treatment plan but need not be physically present when the hygienist performs them.

Collaborative practice agreement

A written arrangement allowing a qualified hygienist to provide defined services in settings without a dentist on site, with referral and documentation protocols.

Delegation limits

A dentist may delegate only acts within the statutory scope of dental hygiene; the hygienist may not accept or perform a delegation outside that scope.

Standard precautions

Treating all blood and saliva as potentially infectious, using hand hygiene, gloves, masks, eye protection, and gowns as indicated for every patient encounter.

Sterilization monitoring

Verification of sterilization using mechanical indicators, chemical indicators, and periodic biological spore testing, with recall and corrective action on failures.

Sharps handling

Needles and other sharps are single-use, never recapped by hand when avoidable, and discarded immediately into puncture-resistant containers at the point of use.

Dental unit waterlines

Waterlines require flushing and testing per rule to control biofilm and microbial counts, with documented maintenance in the office infection control plan.

Unprofessional conduct

Statutory category covering fraud, practicing beyond scope, impairment, confidentiality breaches, deceptive advertising, and failure to cooperate with the Board.

Duty to report violations

A licensee must report known violations by other licensees to the Board, subject to statutory requirements and protections for good-faith reporting.

Patient confidentiality duty

Patient information may be disclosed only with authorization, as required by law, or for treatment, payment, and operations purposes.

Board sanctions

Penalties the Board may impose, including reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, civil penalties, and required remedial education or treatment.

Administrative hearing rights

A licensee facing discipline receives notice, may be represented by counsel, may cross-examine witnesses, and may appeal a final order to circuit court.

Record retention

Patient records must be legible, contemporaneous, and kept for the period set by Board rule, including after a patient leaves the practice.

Informed consent elements

Documented disclosure of the procedure, material risks and benefits, alternatives including no treatment, and the patient's opportunity to ask questions.

Record correction rule

Errors in a patient record are corrected by a dated, authenticated addendum; the original entry is never altered, obliterated, or removed.