NC Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence key terms

North Carolina's statute that establishes the State Board of Dental Examiners and sets the legal framework for dentistry and dental hygiene, including licensure, scope of practice, supervision, and grounds for discipline.

The North Carolina regulatory body that licenses dentists and dental hygienists, interprets the Dental Practice Act through rules, investigates complaints, and imposes discipline on licensees who violate the law or Board rules.

Administrative regulations adopted by the State Board of Dental Examiners that fill in the details of the Dental Practice Act, covering topics such as infection control, supervision requirements, recordkeeping, and continuing education.

A committee within the Board structure that reviews matters affecting dental hygiene, including licensure and practice issues, and advises the full Board on decisions that concern hygienists specifically.

The legally defined set of duties a dental hygienist may perform under North Carolina law, which depends on the hygienist's license and on the level of supervision the dentist has arranged for the setting.

The dentist's assignment of a specific task to a dental hygienist or other auxiliary. The dentist remains responsible for the patient's care, and only tasks the law permits may be assigned.

The categories of dentist oversight that apply to hygienist services, ranging from the dentist being physically present to the dentist being available by phone, each tied to specific procedures and settings.

A level of oversight in which the dentist has authorized the procedure, is physically present in the office, and is available to evaluate the patient's condition before and after the hygienist's work.

A level of oversight in which the dentist has authorized the procedure but is not required to be physically present in the office while the hygienist performs it, though the dentist remains responsible for the patient's care.

An arrangement authorized by North Carolina law that allows a licensed dental hygienist to provide certain services in specified community settings without the prior exam or presence of a dentist, subject to statutory conditions.

A community location such as a school, health department, or nonprofit clinic where dental hygiene services may be provided under the collaborative practice provisions rather than in a traditional private dental office.

A procedure that a dental hygienist may perform only after completing Board-approved additional training and holding the required credential, and only when the supervising dentist has authorized it.

A credential allowing a dental hygienist who has completed required training to monitor a patient receiving nitrous oxide sedation under the dentist's direction and according to Board rules.

The credential issued by the State Board of Dental Examiners that authorizes a person to practice dental hygiene in North Carolina after meeting education, examination, and character requirements.

The standard path to a North Carolina dental hygiene license, requiring graduation from an accredited program, passage of required clinical and written examinations, and submission of a Board application.

A route to licensure for hygienists already licensed in another jurisdiction, allowing the Board to grant a North Carolina license based on the applicant's existing license and documented practice experience.

The periodic process by which a dental hygienist keeps an active North Carolina license, involving payment of a fee and certification of completed continuing education by the Board's deadline.

The number of approved education hours a hygienist must complete during each renewal cycle, including any mandated subject areas such as infection control or ethics, to remain licensed.

A current cardiopulmonary resuscitation credential, typically including a hands-on component, that a dental hygienist must hold to renew a license or to practice in North Carolina.

A license that has not been renewed by the deadline. Practicing on a lapsed license is unlawful, and reinstatement may require a fee, additional continuing education, or other Board conditions.

A status a hygienist may request instead of renewing as active, meaning the person may not practice dental hygiene until the license is restored to active status under Board rules.

The Board's process of selecting licensees at random or for cause to produce documentation proving that reported continuing education hours were actually completed and came from approved providers.

Board-adopted requirements for sterilization, disinfection, hand hygiene, and use of protective barriers that hygienists must follow in every practice setting to prevent transmission of disease.

Board rules obligating licensees to create and retain accurate patient records, including treatment notes, charting, and signatures, for a specified period after the last patient visit.

A patient's voluntary agreement to treatment after being told about the proposed procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives. The treating licensee is responsible for obtaining and documenting it.

Ending care for a patient without adequate notice or without giving the patient a reasonable chance to arrange treatment elsewhere, which can be grounds for Board discipline.

The statutory list of conduct that can lead to Board action, such as fraud in obtaining a license, practicing beyond scope, substance impairment, unprofessional conduct, or violating Board rules.

The procedure the Board follows after a complaint, which may include investigation, a hearing or consent agreement, and imposition of sanctions such as reprimand, probation, suspension, or revocation.

A negotiated, Board-approved agreement in which a licensee accepts specified findings and sanctions without a contested hearing, often resolving a disciplinary case more quickly.

A formal disciplinary sanction that publicly documents a licensee's violation and appears in the licensee's record, without interrupting the right to practice.

A disciplinary status in which a licensee may keep practicing but must meet Board-imposed conditions such as extra continuing education, monitoring, or practice restrictions for a set period.

A disciplinary action that temporarily removes the right to practice dental hygiene, either for a definite term or until the licensee satisfies conditions the Board sets for reinstatement.

The most severe Board sanction, permanently canceling a dental hygiene license. Reinstatement, if available at all, requires a later Board application and showing of rehabilitation.

A licensee's legal duty to notify the Board of certain events, such as a conviction, disciplinary action in another state, or knowledge of a colleague practicing while impaired or unlicensed.

A licensee's obligation to tell the Board about changes affecting the license, such as a criminal conviction, address change, or action taken by another licensing authority, within the required time.

Practicing while unable to provide safe care because of alcohol, drugs, or a physical or mental condition. It is a disciplinary ground, and the Board may require evaluation or treatment.

Performing dental hygiene services without a valid North Carolina license, or allowing another person to do so. It is unlawful and subjects both the unlicensed person and any aider to discipline.

Board restrictions on how licensees may promote services, prohibiting false, misleading, or deceptive claims and requiring that advertised credentials and specialties be accurate and verifiable.