Regulations governing the practice of dental hygiene by dental hygienists:
For definitions and scope of practice in the state of Maryland please access this link:
Requirements for Dental Hygiene License Renewal
Renewal forms:
Or Renew On-Line:
Maryland dental hygienists must complete 30 hours of continuing education, bi annually, for license renewal with the following conditions:
--Thirty credit hours of continuing education bi-annual to be completed by December 31st of the year preceding the renewal date. Seventeen hours can be self-study or on-line courses.
--Two credit hours are mandatory on Infection Control, following OSHA standards
--Two credit hours of Board approved Abuse and Neglect as related to Maryland Law to be completed every other license renewal period.
--Current CPR certification such as the American Heart Association level 'C' (health care provider), must be maintained. However, CPR certification is not included in the total thirty credit hours.
-- Maintain at least 150 hours of clinical practice every three years.
--A licensee who has received their license within 6 months after graduation is not subject to the continuing education requirements for the first renewal cycle following initial licensure.
For more information on Maryland Dental Hygiene, please view the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners web site:
Administration of Local Anesthesia Certification
Please view the Definitions and Scope of Practice link at the top of this page.
LA Certification application:
Monitoring of Nitrous Oxide
Authorizing a dental hygienist to monitor the use of nitrous oxide on the dental hygiene patient after the initial administration of the analgesic by a dentist. Rules and Regulations are currently under development. Please stay tuned...
Manual Soft Tissue Curettage
A dental hygienist may perform manual soft tissue curettage on a dental hygiene patient after taking a 2 hour, Board approved course and examination. No certification from the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners will be issued. However, the dental hygienist should keep all forms of documentation of course participation should the Board seek verification.
Dental Hygienists—Practice in Long-Term Care Facilities
Authorizing a dental hygienist to practice dental hygiene under the general supervision of a dentist in long-term care facilities under specified circumstances; requiring specified dental hygienists to have a specified written agreement; requiring specified dental hygienists to consult with the supervising dentist or a treating physician under specified circumstances; requiring specified dental hygienists to assess the appropriate recall interval for a patient in a specified manner; etc.
The intent of this bill is to allow the Hygienist in private practice to go into long-term facilities under general supervision. |
