MI Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence flashcards

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

Public Health Code Article 15

The portion of Michigan's Public Health Code, Act 368 of 1978, that governs the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, including licensure, scope, delegation, and discipline.

Michigan Board of Dentistry

The appointed board within LARA's Bureau of Professional Licensing that advises on dental licensure, proposes administrative rules, and reviews disciplinary matters involving dentists and dental hygienists.

Practice of dental hygiene defined

Services within the oral cavity performed under the supervision of a licensed dentist, including prophylaxis, scaling, polishing, and preventive care, as defined by statute and Board rule.

Unlicensed practice consequence

Performing dental hygiene services without a valid license is both an administrative violation subject to discipline and a criminal offense under Michigan law, regardless of clinical competence.

Dental hygiene licensure requirements

Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program, passing an accepted written and clinical examination, and passing a jurisprudence examination on Michigan dental law.

Renewal cycle and attestation

Michigan dental hygiene licenses renew on a fixed cycle, currently three years, requiring a completed application, the renewal fee, and attestation that continuing education is complete.

Lapsed license grace period

A license that expires may be renewed within a grace period with late fees; after the grace period, the licensee must apply for reinstatement and may need additional education or examination.

Direct supervision meaning

A supervision level requiring the dentist to be physically present in the office, to have examined the patient, and generally to be available during the procedure and check the work.

General supervision meaning

A supervision level in which the dentist has authorized the service and examined the patient of record but need not be physically present while the hygienist performs it.

Hygienist scope boundaries

Hygienists may perform prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, polishing, fluoride, and sealants, but not diagnosis, prescription, or surgery, which remain with the dentist.

Hygienist delegation limit

A dental hygienist may not delegate dental hygiene services to a dental assistant; only the dentist may delegate tasks, and only those permitted by Board rule.

Dentist delegation responsibility

The delegating dentist retains responsibility for the task and its outcome and may delegate only tasks within the assistant's training and permitted by Board rule.

Expanded-function assistant

A dental assistant who has completed approved additional training and holds the registration required to perform specified expanded tasks such as coronal polishing or certain restorative placements.

Local anesthesia authorization

A dental hygienist may administer local anesthesia only after completing Board-approved additional education and obtaining the required authorization, generally under direct supervision.

Nitrous oxide requirements

Administration by a hygienist requires additional training, compliance with the applicable supervision level, patient assessment, informed consent, monitoring, and documentation of agent and response.

Anesthesia emergency preparedness

Before administering local anesthesia or nitrous oxide, the office must have oxygen, suction, emergency drugs, a written emergency plan, and staff trained to use them.

Standard precautions

Infection control practices applied to all patients regardless of presumed infectious status, including hand hygiene, gloves, masks, eye protection, and gowns when indicated.

Critical item sterilization

Instruments that penetrate tissue or contact bone must be cleaned and sterilized between patients, with biological, chemical, and mechanical monitoring of the sterilization process.

Biological indicator monitoring

Spore tests run at the frequency required by rule to verify sterilizer effectiveness, with results logged and retained as part of the infection control record.

Dental unit waterline maintenance

Waterlines must be flushed, treated, and maintained according to manufacturer instructions to control biofilm, with water quality testing as part of the required program.

Informed consent elements

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

Record correction method

Errors are corrected by a dated addendum stating the reason; the original entry is never obliterated or altered, preserving the integrity of the clinical record.

Confidentiality exceptions

Patient information may be disclosed without authorization only where law requires or permits it, such as abuse reporting, court order, or public health requirements.

Record retention duty

Records must be kept for the period required by law and Board rule, and on practice closure the dentist must arrange custody and notify patients.

Unprofessional conduct examples

Practicing outside scope, impairment, fraud on a license application, fee splitting, deceptive advertising, falsifying records, and aiding unlicensed practice.

Patient abandonment

Terminating care without adequate notice, referral, or provision for continuing treatment when the patient still needs care, which can constitute unprofessional conduct.

Impaired practice program

Michigan's health professional recovery program addresses substance use or mental health conditions affecting competence; entering and complying with monitoring can affect disciplinary outcomes.

Complaint intake process

Complaints are filed with the Bureau of Professional Licensing, which screens and may investigate; the licensee is notified and must respond, and failure to respond is a violation.

Summary suspension

An immediate suspension imposed when there is serious risk to public health, safety, or welfare, effective pending a full administrative hearing on the charges.

Range of sanctions

Disciplinary outcomes include reprimand, probation, practice limitation, suspension, revocation, civil fines, and required remedial education or monitoring.

Continuing education audit

Licensees must retain certificates from approved providers for the audit period and bear the burden of proving completion when the Board requests documentation.

CPR certification requirement

Current healthcare provider level CPR certification is required as a condition of practice and renewal, and must be maintained throughout the licensure cycle.