Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 818 - OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 818 is the comprehensive set of regulations governing the Oregon Board of Dentistry. This board is the primary regulatory body for dental professions in the state, with the overarching mission to protect public health and safety by ensuring that dental professionals are competent and qualified.
Chapter 818 details the rules and procedures for various aspects of dental practice and licensure in Oregon. Here's a breakdown of the key areas it covers:
Definitions (Division 1): Establishes clear definitions for terms used throughout the rules, such as "Board," "Direct Supervision," "General Supervision," "Informed Consent," "Licensee" (dentist, hygienist, dental therapist), and various dental specialties.
Procedural Rules (Division 1): Outlines the general administrative procedures of the Board, including rulemaking, public records requests, and contested case hearings.
Criminal Records Check and Fitness Determination Rules (Division 5): Details the requirements and processes for criminal background checks for applicants and licensees.
Standards of Practice (Division 12): Sets forth the expected professional conduct and acceptable patient care standards for all dental professionals. This includes what procedures dentists are prohibited from performing (e.g., certain cosmetic surgeries not within the scope of dentistry) and rules for the use of substances like Botulinum Toxin Type A and dermal fillers, or vaccine administration.
Health Professionals' Services Program (Division 13): Addresses the program designed to help licensees with substance abuse disorders and mental health issues, often a non-disciplinary and confidential diversion program.
Advertising (Division 15): Regulates how dental professionals can advertise their services.
Examination and Licensing (Division 21): This is a crucial section, outlining the requirements for obtaining a license to practice dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental therapy in Oregon. It covers:
Application procedures and fees.
Educational requirements (e.g., graduation from accredited dental schools).
Examination requirements (national written exams, clinical exams, and Oregon's jurisprudence exam).
Licensure by credential for those licensed in other states.
Continuing education (CE) requirements for license renewal (e.g., 40 hours for dentists every two years).
Anesthesia (Division 26): Establishes detailed rules for the administration of anesthesia in dental offices, including different classes of permits (e.g., Class 2, 3, 4) and standards for their use. It also covers reporting requirements for adverse events related to anesthesia.
Dental Hygiene (Division 35): Specifically addresses the scope of practice, authorization to practice, expanded functions, and record-keeping requirements for dental hygienists, including Expanded Practice Dental Hygienists.
Dental Therapy (Division 38): Outlines the licensing, scope of practice, and collaborative agreement requirements for dental therapists, a newer dental professional category in Oregon.
Dental Assisting (Division 42): Defines the roles, responsibilities, and certification requirements for various types of dental assistants, including those with expanded functions (e.g., Expanded Function Dental Assistants - EFDAs, Expanded Function Orthodontic Assistants - EFODAs, Certified Anesthesia Dental Assistants).
In essence, OAR Chapter 818 provides the regulatory framework for the Oregon Board of Dentistry's core functions: licensing and examining dental professionals, enforcing standards of practice, investigating complaints, and ensuring the continued competency of licensees through continuing education requirements.
RELATED Blog
0 comments