IN DH Juris key terms

The statutory definition covering diagnosis, treatment planning, and performing procedures on teeth, gums, and oral structures, including prescribing drugs and using anesthesia, that requires an Indiana dental license.

The defined set of preventive and therapeutic services hygienists may render, including prophylaxis, scaling, root planing, and patient education, subject to the supervision level the statute assigns to each service.

The Indiana regulatory body that licenses dentists and hygienists, approves training programs, adopts rules, investigates complaints, and imposes discipline for violations of the dental practice act.

The boundaries of procedures and responsibilities a licensee may legally perform given their license type, training, and the supervision required for each task under Indiana law.

The periodic process by which a dentist or hygienist submits a renewal application, attests to continuing education completion, and pays fees to keep an active Indiana license.

The minimum number of approved education hours a licensee must complete each renewal cycle, with specified subject areas such as infection control and ethics, documented and retained for audit.

A license that has expired because renewal was not completed on time, so the holder may not practice until the board grants reinstatement and any required fees or penalties are satisfied.

The board process for restoring a license that lapsed or was suspended, which may require application, fee payment, continuing education, or evidence of fitness to resume practice.

The board's review of a licensee's continuing education documentation to confirm compliance, under which the licensee must produce certificates or transcripts for the renewal period reviewed.

The categories of oversight a dentist must provide over hygienist or assistant services, such as direct, indirect, and general supervision, each defined by the dentist's presence or availability.

A supervision level requiring the dentist to be physically present in the office, evaluate the patient, and personally authorize the procedure before it is performed by the auxiliary.

A supervision level in which the dentist has examined the patient and authorized treatment but need not be present in the operatory while the delegated service is performed.

A supervision level in which the dentist authorizes services but is not required to be on the premises, commonly applied to specified preventive hygiene services for established patients.

An arrangement in which a hygienist may treat certain patients without the dentist's prior examination, under conditions and agreements the practice act and board rules specify.

The dentist's assignment of a specific task to a hygienist or assistant, valid only when the task is within that auxiliary's legal scope and the required supervision level is met.

An additional procedure a hygienist or assistant may perform only after completing board-approved training and certification, such as certain restorative or polishing tasks.

The tasks unlicensed or certified assistants may legally perform under dentist supervision, typically including chairside assistance, suction, and specified expanded functions after training.

The injection of anesthetic agents by a hygienist who holds the required permit and training, performed under the supervision level the statute or board rule prescribes.

A credential issued by the board to a hygienist who completes approved coursework and examination, authorizing administration of local anesthesia within the statutory limits.

The delivery of nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation, permitted for hygienists only with required training and certification and under the dentist's supervision and patient monitoring rules.

The legal power to prescribe drugs, generally reserved to licensed dentists, who may prescribe within the scope of dental practice and must follow controlled substance and recordkeeping rules.

The board-adopted rules requiring barrier use, hand hygiene, instrument processing, and surface disinfection to prevent transmission of pathogens between patients and staff.

The required procedure for cleaning, packaging, and heat-sterilizing reusable instruments, including monitoring with indicators and documenting each load in a log.

The practice of treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious and applying gloves, masks, eye protection, and gowns for every patient encounter.

The use of biological, chemical, and mechanical indicators to verify that sterilization equipment achieved conditions capable of killing microorganisms, with results recorded and retained.

A written workplace program describing how the practice prevents, evaluates, and follows up on occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens, including post-exposure testing and prophylaxis.

The chart documenting history, examination findings, diagnosis, treatment, radiographs, and communications, which must be accurate, contemporaneous, and retained for the required period.

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

The duty to protect patient health information from unauthorized disclosure, permitting release only with patient authorization or as law requires, such as for suspected abuse reporting.

Statutorily listed behavior subject to discipline, including fraud, incompetence, practicing impaired, abandoning patients, and aiding unlicensed practice.

Ending the dentist-patient relationship without adequate notice, an opportunity to arrange alternate care, or transfer of records, which constitutes grounds for discipline.

A written allegation filed with the board or attorney general alleging a licensee violated the practice act, which triggers review and possible investigation.

The board's or its agent's inquiry into a complaint, gathering records and testimony to determine whether a violation occurred and whether formal charges are warranted.

A formal proceeding before the board or an administrative law judge where evidence is presented and the licensee may respond to allegations before a decision is issued.

A penalty the board imposes after finding a violation, ranging from reprimand and probation to suspension, revocation, civil penalties, or required remedial education.

An immediate suspension of a license before a full hearing when the board finds the licensee poses a serious danger to public health and safety.

The obligation of licensees and certain others to notify the board of known violations, such as impaired practice or unlicensed activity, within the time the law specifies.

A patient's documented decision to decline recommended treatment after being advised of the risks, protecting the dentist who records the discussion and continues appropriate care.