Interpretive Statements

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT REGARDING TELEDENTISTRY STATUTE AND SUPERVISION OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS

The Board clarifies that the teledentistry statute did not alter the supervision requirements for dental hygienists and explains the limited circumstances in which teledentistry services may be provided. To read the statement regarding teledentistry services and the supervision of dental hygienists, click here.

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT REGARDING MONITORING PATIENTS DURING SEDATION PROCEDURES

The Board provides interpretation and guidance regarding acceptable standards of care, consistent with the Board’s rules, for monitoring patients throughout a sedation procedure involving administration of general anesthesia, moderate conscious sedation, or pediatric moderate conscious sedation, including the acceptable roles of the dentist administering the anesthesia or moderate sedation as it relates to monitoring the patient. To read the statement regarding monitoring patients during sedation procedures, click here.

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT ON ELECTIVE COSMETIC PROCEDURES

The Board has revised an earlier statement on elective cosmetic procedures and the use of certain medications primarily used for cosmetic enhancement. The revision is based on peer-reviewed scientific studies demonstrating the efficacy of certain of these drugs in treating dental conditions. To read the interpretive statement, click here.

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT REGARDING INFORMED CONSENT

To protect the public interest, the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners (Board) provides interpretation and guidance regarding acceptable standards of care on the issue of patients’ informed consent.

To read the Board's Interpretive Statement, click here.

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT REGARDING AUXILIARIES PROVIDING ASSISTANCE IN ADMINISTERING SEDATION OR ANESTHESIA

Click here to see the text of the Board's Interpretive Statement to accompany their Rules on administering Sedation and Anesthesia
21 NCAC 16Q .0201, .0301, .0401, or .0404.

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENTS REGARDING ANXIOLYSIS

To protect the public interest, the Board issued two interpretive statements regarding the administration of anxiolytics. To read the statement regarding the administration of anxiolysis to adult and geriatric patients, click here. To read the statement regarding the administration of anxiolysis to pediatric patients, click here.

The Board’s statements provide interpretation and guidance regarding acceptable standards of care, consistent with the Board’s rules, to administer anxiolytics, including acceptable anxiolytic drugs, permissible dose amounts, and the appropriate timing of a single dose that constitutes anxiolysis and, therefore, does not require the dentist to hold a current, unrestricted sedation permit.

DENTAL BOARD - OEMS JOINT POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING EMS PERSONNEL FUNCTIONING IN DENTAL OFFICE SETTINGS

The Board and the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services issued a joint position statement for the purpose of providing guidance to North Carolina dentists and EMS personnel regarding the current regulatory framework governing permissible practice settings for EMS personnel in this State. Under the current regulatory framework, paramedics and other EMS personnel working in a dental office under the supervision of a dentist who is licensed by the Dental Board but is not licensed by the NC Medical Board may not perform any functions beyond those performed by other dental assistants utilizing skills from BLS certification. To read the joint position statement with a detailed discussion and examples, click here.

Functions of the Board of Dental Examiners
The administration of licensure examinations for dentists and dental hygienists
The promulgation of rules and enforcement of laws and regulations governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene in this state
The issuance and renewal of licenses to dentists and dental hygienists