GA Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence flashcards

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

Georgia Board of Dentistry

The state agency created under O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 11 that licenses dentists and dental hygienists, adopts rules, investigates complaints, and imposes discipline for violations.

Statutory definition of dentistry

Diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or operation on human teeth, gums, jaws, or associated structures, including correcting malposition and replacing missing teeth, as defined in Georgia statute.

Practice without a license

Providing dental or dental hygiene services without a current Georgia license. It is both a criminal offense and an independent ground for Board discipline, including for anyone who assists.

Board rulemaking authority

The Board adopts administrative rules under the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act. Rules carry the force of law but are invalid where they conflict with the governing statute.

Board investigative powers

The Board may issue subpoenas, compel records and testimony, administer oaths, and act on its own motion or a complaint. Refusing to cooperate is itself sanctionable.

Biennial license renewal

Georgia dental hygiene licenses renew every two years. Renewal requires continuing education attestation, current healthcare-provider CPR, fee payment, and disclosure of criminal or disciplinary history.

Required CE subject areas

Each renewal cycle must include Board-specified continuing education in infection control and in Georgia jurisprudence and ethics, plus clinical hours from approved providers. Excess hours do not carry forward.

Approved CE providers

Continuing education generally counts only from providers recognized by the ADA CERP, regional accreditors, or the Board. Non-approved self-study and unaccredited online courses may be rejected on audit.

Late renewal grace period

A short statutory window after expiration in which a license may be renewed with a late fee. Practicing before the renewal is completed is unlicensed practice.

Reinstatement after lapse

Restoring a license expired beyond the grace period. The Board may require a reinstatement fee, additional continuing education, and re-examination before returning the licensee to active status.

CE record retention

Licensees must keep certificates and documentation of continuing education for the period set by Board rule, commonly the current and preceding cycle, and produce them if audited.

Inactive license status

A non-practicing status available on application. The holder may not deliver dental hygiene services until restored to active status with current CE and CPR documentation.

Direct supervision

The dentist is physically present in the office, has examined the patient, and is available during the procedure performed by the hygienist or auxiliary.

Indirect supervision

The dentist has examined the patient and authorized the procedure but need not be physically present in the office while the delegated service is delivered.

General supervision

The dentist has authorized the procedure to be performed but has not necessarily examined the patient beforehand; the dentist retains overall responsibility for care.

Hygiene scope of services

Assessment, charting, scaling and root planing, polishing, fluoride, and sealants under the applicable supervision level. Diagnosing, prescribing, and irreversible surgery are excluded.

Local anesthesia by hygienist

Administration requires additional Board-approved training and authorization plus a heightened supervision standard; it is not part of the basic hygiene license scope.

Public health hygiene practice

In specified school, institutional, and public health settings, a hygienist may deliver services under a dentist's written protocol or standing order without the dentist on site.

Standard precautions

Infection control applied to every patient regardless of known infectious status, treating all blood and saliva as potentially infectious. This is the Georgia practice standard.

Sterilization monitoring

Each load is checked with chemical indicators and periodic biological spore testing, with results documented in a log. Failed loads require reprocessing and investigation.

Single-use item rule

Needles, scalpel blades, and designated disposable barriers are never reprocessed. Sharps go immediately into a rigid, closable, puncture-resistant container.

Clinical contact surface disinfection

Surfaces touched during care are barrier-protected or cleaned and disinfected between patients with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant labeled tuberculocidal.

Dental unit waterline limits

Waterlines must be treated with an approved product and monitored so heterotrophic plate counts stay at or below the CDC-recommended threshold for dental treatment water.

Exposure incident response

Immediately wash the exposed area, report the incident, and obtain evaluation and follow-up under the written exposure control plan consistent with OSHA requirements.

Record authentication

Each entry must be dated and attributable to the treating provider. Corrections are made by dated addendum; obliterating or backdating entries is a disciplinary ground.

Patient right to records

The practice owns the physical record, but the patient may obtain a copy. A reasonable copying fee may be charged and production must occur within the time required by law.

Informed consent elements

Disclosure of diagnosis, nature and purpose of treatment, material risks, alternatives including no treatment, and the patient's voluntary agreement. Written consent is expected for higher-risk care.

Confidentiality exceptions

Disclosure is permitted with patient authorization, for treatment, payment, or operations, when required by law, or in response to a valid subpoena or court order.

Record retention period

Records must be kept for the minimum period set by Georgia law and Board rule after the last treatment, and longer for minors or when litigation is pending.

Grounds for discipline

Fraud in licensure, unprofessional conduct, gross negligence, impairment, felony conviction, aiding unlicensed practice, fee splitting, and violating Board rules or orders.

Board sanction range

Sanctions include a letter of concern, public reprimand, probation with conditions, suspension, revocation, and civil fines, and may require additional CE or practice monitoring.

Duty to refer

When a condition exceeds the provider's competence or licensed scope, the provider must refer to an appropriate dentist or specialist. Failure to refer can constitute abandonment.

Delegation accountability

A dentist may delegate only Board-authorized tasks to properly credentialed auxiliaries and remains responsible for the patient's care and the adequacy of supervision.