GA Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence study plan
GA Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Georgia Dental Practice Act: scope, definitions, and board authority
Define the Georgia Dental Practice Act's statutory structure, including the Board of Dentistry's composition, appointment process, and rulemaking authority
Identify the scope of practice boundaries for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants as defined in Georgia law
Explain the Board's enforcement powers, including investigation, hearing, and sanction procedures
Summarize the definitions of key terms such as 'practice of dentistry,' 'supervision,' and 'direct supervision' under Georgia law
Your checkpoint
Create a one-page reference sheet listing the Board's powers and the statutory definitions of the three roles, with citations to the relevant code sections.
Scope of practice for dental hygienists and supervision levels
Differentiate between general supervision, direct supervision, and personal supervision as applied to dental hygienists in Georgia
List the specific clinical procedures a Georgia hygienist may perform under each supervision level
Describe the conditions under which a hygienist may perform procedures without a dentist on the premises
Identify the documentation and patient notification requirements for hygienists practicing under general supervision
Your checkpoint
Build a comparison chart of supervision levels with corresponding allowed procedures and required conditions, using only Georgia-specific rules.
Georgia Dental Practice Act: scope, definitions, and board authority & Scope of practice for dental hygienists and supervision levels
Trace the process for proposing and adopting a new Board rule, from petition to effective date
Analyze how statutory amendments or Board rule changes affect hygienists' scope of practice
Apply the supervision rules to three hypothetical clinical scenarios and determine the lawful supervision level
Explain the consequences of practicing outside the defined scope for both the hygienist and the supervising dentist
Your checkpoint
Write a 300-word case analysis of a hypothetical scenario where a hygienist performs a procedure under ambiguous supervision, citing the applicable statutes and rules.
Licensure, renewal, and continuing education requirements
Outline the initial licensure pathways for dental hygienists in Georgia, including examination and credential requirements
Detail the renewal cycle, fees, and late penalties for Georgia dental hygiene licenses
List the continuing education hour requirements, acceptable subject areas, and documentation retention rules
Describe the process for reinstating a lapsed or suspended license
Your checkpoint
Create a flowchart of the licensure lifecycle from application to renewal to reinstatement, with all deadlines and CE hour totals noted.
Infection control, sterilization, and safety standards
Identify the infection control standards adopted by the Georgia Board of Dentistry, including any incorporated CDC or OSHA references
Explain the requirements for sterilization monitoring, instrument processing, and hand hygiene in Georgia dental settings
Describe the Board's inspection and enforcement mechanisms for infection control violations
List the recordkeeping requirements for sterilization logs and safety training
Your checkpoint
Produce a checklist of infection control compliance items that a Georgia hygienist could use for a self-audit, with each item tied to a specific rule or statute.
Patient records, informed consent, and confidentiality & Professional conduct, ethics, and disciplinary grounds
Summarize Georgia law on patient record ownership, retention periods, and patient access rights
Explain the elements of informed consent and the hygienist's role in obtaining or documenting consent
Identify confidentiality obligations and permitted disclosures under Georgia law and HIPAA
List the disciplinary grounds most commonly cited by the Board and the range of sanctions available
Your checkpoint
Draft a patient record release scenario with a model response that cites the retention rule, consent requirement, and confidentiality exception.
Delegation, referrals, and collaborative practice
Describe the delegation rules that govern what a dentist may assign to a hygienist or assistant in Georgia
Explain the requirements for referrals and consultation between providers
Outline the parameters of collaborative practice arrangements authorized in Georgia
Analyze the hygienist's responsibilities when a delegated task exceeds their scope or supervision level
Your checkpoint
Create a delegation decision tree that a hygienist can use to determine whether to accept a delegated task, including referral and escalation steps.
Georgia Dental Practice Act: scope, definitions, and board authority & Licensure, renewal, and continuing education requirements & Scope of practice for dental hygienists and supervision levels & Infection control, sterilization, and safety standards & Patient records, informed consent, and confidentiality & Professional conduct, ethics, and disciplinary grounds & Delegation, referrals, and collaborative practice
Integrate knowledge across all domains by completing a timed, 100-question practice exam
Review incorrect answers and map each to the relevant domain and source rule
Revisit the two lowest-scoring domains with targeted rule rereading and summary notes
Finalize a one-page quick-reference sheet of high-yield numbers, deadlines, and definitions
Your checkpoint
Score at least 80% on the practice exam and submit a corrected error log with citations for every missed question.
Milestones
Week 4: Complete the licensure lifecycle flowchart and pass a 20-question self-quiz on renewal and CE requirements with 80% accuracy.
Week 6: Submit the record release scenario response and score at least 75% on a 30-question mixed quiz covering domains 1–6.
Week 8: Achieve a timed practice exam score of 80% or higher and produce a complete error log with statutory citations.