LA 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 citation

Louisiana's dental statute is La. R.S. 37:751 to 37:790; the board's administrative rules appear in LAC Title 46, Part XXXIII.

Direct supervision defined

The licensed dentist has examined the patient and is physically present on the premises while the dental hygienist performs the authorized treatment.

General supervision defined

The dentist has authorized the procedure in advance but need not be present; the hygienist may perform it under conditions stated in board rule.

Scope of hygiene practice

Services limited to preventive and therapeutic procedures authorized by statute and rule, excluding diagnosis, prescription, and irreversible surgical procedures.

Local anesthesia permit

A hygienist may administer local anesthesia only with a separate board permit, board-approved training, and compliance with required supervision conditions.

Treatment authorization

A dentist must examine the patient and prescribe dental hygiene treatment; a hygienist may not initiate treatment without that authorization.

Board composition

The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry includes dentist members, dental hygienist members, and a consumer member, as set by statute.

Jurisdictional discipline

The board may discipline a licensee for misconduct occurring outside Louisiana when it bears on fitness to practice dental hygiene.

CODA accreditation requirement

Applicants for dental hygiene licensure must graduate from a CODA-accredited program or an equivalent program approved by the board.

NBDHE requirement

Applicants must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.

Clinical examination requirement

Applicants must pass a board-approved regional or state clinical exam, such as CDCA-WREB-CITA or CRDTS, or an approved alternate pathway.

Jurisprudence examination

Louisiana requires applicants to pass an examination on the Dental Practice Act and board rules as a condition of initial licensure.

Application packet contents

Completed board application, official transcripts, exam score reports, required fee, and criminal background check as specified by board rule.

Licensure by credentials

Endorsement generally requires an active unrestricted license elsewhere, a minimum period of practice, and substantially equivalent state requirements.

Lapsed license reinstatement

Reinstatement may require a fee, late penalty, continuing education evidence, and reexamination after an extended lapse, per board rule.

Temporary permit

A limited permit may be issued to qualifying applicants awaiting examination results or in approved programs and expires on its stated date.

Annual renewal cycle

Louisiana dental hygiene licenses renew annually; missing the deadline triggers a penalty fee and possible lapsed-license status.

CE audit and records

CE is reported on the honor system at renewal, but the board audits; licensees must retain attendance certificates for the period required by rule.

Mandatory CE topics

Required hours include board-specified topics such as infection control and controlled-substance-related training where applicable to the license type.

Approved CE providers

Credit is accepted only from board-approved providers or activities, such as ADA CERP-recognized providers and CODA-accredited institutions.

CPR requirement

Current CPR certification at the healthcare provider level is a condition of continued licensure and must be valid at renewal.

Online license verification

The board's licensee lookup lets licensees and third parties verify licensure status and public disciplinary history.

Practicing on lapsed license

Practicing while a license is lapsed or inactive is unlicensed practice and grounds for discipline; confirm active status first.

Address of record

Renewal notices go to the address on file; the licensee must keep the board informed of current mailing address and legal name changes.

Filing a complaint

Any person may file a board complaint; staff screen it and may dismiss, investigate, or refer it to the disciplinary authority.

Board investigation powers

The board may investigate through its executive director or designee, including requesting patient records; failure to cooperate is a violation.

Grounds for discipline

Fraud in licensure, practicing beyond scope, unprofessional conduct, substance impairment, and infection control violations are statutory grounds.

Range of sanctions

Sanctions range from reprimand and probation to suspension, revocation, and civil fines, and may include monitoring or additional CE.

Adjudication procedure

Board adjudications follow the Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act, providing notice, a hearing opportunity, and appeal rights to district court.

Mandatory reporting duty

Licensees must report known violations such as impaired practice or unlicensed practice, as defined by statute and board rule.

Patient confidentiality

HIPAA and state law protect patient information; unauthorized disclosure by a hygienist is unprofessional conduct subject to discipline.

Examples of unprofessional conduct

Falsifying clinical records, patient abandonment without notice, practicing under the influence, and aiding unlicensed practice.