MI Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence key terms

The body of Michigan law, Chapter 333, that sets health-related requirements statewide, including the article that governs the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene.

The portion of the Michigan Public Health Code, Article 15, Part 166, that defines dentistry and dental hygiene, licensing, supervision, and grounds for discipline.

The Michigan regulatory board whose members advise the state on dental licensure, standards, and discipline, and review complaints involving dentists and dental hygienists.

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the state department that administers licensing, investigations, and enforcement for health professions including dental hygiene.

The LARA bureau that processes applications, issues and renews licenses, and refers complaints to investigators for health professions in Michigan, including dental hygienists.

Registered Dental Hygienist credential issued by the state after meeting education, examination, and application requirements, authorizing practice under Michigan law.

The standard pathway to a dental hygiene license, requiring graduation from an accredited program and passing accepted clinical and written examinations before applying to the state.

A route by which a hygienist licensed in another jurisdiction may obtain a Michigan license based on verified out-of-state credentials and any additional state requirements.

The periodic process of paying fees and documenting continuing education to keep a dental hygiene license active, typically on a fixed multi-year cycle set by the state.

A license that has expired because renewal requirements were not met, so the holder may not practice until reinstated under state procedures.

The process of restoring an expired, suspended, or revoked license after satisfying the state's conditions, such as fees, education, or a disciplinary order.

The legally defined set of duties a dental hygienist may perform, and the supervision conditions under which each may be carried out in Michigan.

A supervision level in which the dentist is physically present in the office and has authorized the procedure, evaluating the patient as needed before or after care.

A supervision level in which the dentist has authorized care and remains responsible but need not be physically present while the hygienist performs the service.

Arrangements in which a hygienist may provide defined services without the dentist on site, under written agreement and conditions set by Michigan law.

A hygienist with additional authorization to deliver limited services in specified community settings, such as schools or clinics, under conditions defined in statute.

The dentist's assignment of a specific task to a hygienist or auxiliary, permitted only when the task is legally delegable and the required supervision level is met.

Tasks unlicensed chairside assistants may perform under dentist or hygienist supervision, limited to those the law permits and excluding reserved clinical functions.

An auxiliary with additional training and state authorization to perform specified reversible procedures, such as certain restorative functions, under dentist supervision.

Delivery of local anesthetic by a hygienist who holds the required Michigan authorization, education, and supervision conditions for that procedure.

A state-issued authorization allowing a licensed hygienist to administer local anesthesia after completing required coursework, examinations, and application steps.

Inhalation sedation delivered by a hygienist only with appropriate state authorization, training, monitoring, and dentist oversight as required by Michigan rules.

Infection control approach treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, using barriers, hand hygiene, and safe handling regardless of known diagnosis.

Barrier items such as gloves, masks, eye protection, and gowns worn to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious material during patient care.

The validated process, such as steam autoclaving, that destroys all microorganisms on instruments, with monitoring records kept to confirm effectiveness.

A written workplace program required by occupational safety rules that describes how the practice prevents, reports, and follows up on bloodborne pathogen exposures.

The clinical documentation of assessment, treatment, and communications that must be accurate, timely, and retained for the period Michigan law requires.

A patient's voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving an explanation of the procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives, documented in the record.

The duty to protect patient health information from unauthorized disclosure, with exceptions such as required reporting or the patient's own authorization.

Federal standards limiting how covered dental practices use and disclose protected health information and granting patients rights over their records.

Behavior that violates Michigan practice standards, such as practicing beyond scope, falsifying records, or practicing while impaired, and that may lead to discipline.

The statutory list of reasons the state may sanction a licensee, including fraud, incompetence, substance impairment, and criminal convictions.

The process in which the state reviews an allegation against a licensee, gathers evidence, and decides whether to dismiss, settle, or pursue formal charges.

The formal charging document filed by the state that states the alleged violations and initiates the contested case process against a licensee.

A contested administrative proceeding before an administrative law judge where evidence on alleged violations is presented and a recommended decision is issued.

A negotiated resolution in which the licensee accepts specified discipline, such as probation or a fine, without a full hearing, subject to state approval.

Penalties the state may impose for violations, including reprimand, fine, probation with conditions, suspension, or revocation of the license.

The minimum number of approved education hours, including any mandated topic hours, a hygienist must complete each renewal cycle to maintain licensure.

The state's random or targeted request for proof that continuing education claimed at renewal was actually completed, requiring retained certificates.