Ohio Dental Laws and Rules (Jurisprudence)
Sources and authority
Ohio dental practice is governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4715 and Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 4715, enforced by the Ohio State Dental Board. The board licenses dentists, dental hygienists, and expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDAs), investigates complaints, and imposes discipline. The jurisprudence exam tests application of these sources to scenarios.
Core rules
- Licensure renewal is biennial. Dentists document 40 continuing education hours per biennium; hygienists have a separate hour requirement. CE must come from acceptable providers and satisfy content mandates, including opioid-prescribing education for prescribers and infection-control education.
- Delegation follows supervision levels. Direct supervision generally requires the dentist on the premises, prior authorization, and availability; general supervision requires prior authorization but not on-site presence. Expanded functions require an EFDA credential and direct supervision.
- Moderate sedation, deep sedation/general anesthesia, and nitrous oxide require board permits, facility compliance, and qualified personnel.
- Unprofessional conduct includes practicing beyond scope, false advertising, inadequate records, infection-control violations, and impaired practice.
- Records must be accurate, retained under board rule, and released as required; document informed consent.
Worked example
A dentist completes 40 CE hours, including 2 hours of infection control, but no opioid-prescribing hours, and holds a DEA registration. At renewal, the CE is deficient. The total is adequate, but the content-specific rule requires opioid CE for prescribers; the dentist must correct the deficiency before renewal or face board action. The reasoning: the board applies both the total-hour and content rules, and prescriber status triggers the opioid requirement.
Traps
- Equating direct supervision with the dentist being in the room; the rule is usually on-premises and prior authorization.
- Assuming any CE counts; provider approval and content mandates matter.
- Letting an assistant perform expanded functions without EFDA credential.
- Skipping sedation or nitrous oxide permits.
- Treating HIPAA as the only record rule; Ohio board rules add retention and release duties.