NRS631.313. Assignment of dental hygienist or dental assistant to perform intraoral tasks under supervision of dentist; exception; administration of local anesthesia or nitrous oxide by dental hygienist.

      1.  A licensed dentist may assign to a person in his or her employ who is a dental hygienist, dental assistant or other person directly or indirectly involved in the provision of dental care only such intraoral tasks as may be permitted by a regulation of the Board or by the provisions of this chapter.

      2.  The performance of these tasks must be:

      (a) If performed by a dental assistant or a person, other than a dental hygienist, who is directly or indirectly involved in the provision of dental care, under the supervision of the licensed dentist who made the assignment.

      (b) If performed by a dental hygienist, authorized by the licensed dentist of the patient for whom the tasks will be performed, except as otherwise provided in NRS 631.287.

      3.  No such assignment is permitted that requires:

      (a) The diagnosis, treatment planning, prescribing of drugs or medicaments, or authorizing the use of restorative, prosthodontic or orthodontic appliances.

      (b) Surgery on hard or soft tissues within the oral cavity or any other intraoral procedure that may contribute to or result in an irremediable alteration of the oral anatomy.

      (c) The administration of general anesthesia, conscious sedation or deep sedation except as otherwise authorized by regulations adopted by the Board.

      (d) The performance of a task outside the authorized scope of practice of the employee who is being assigned the task.

      4.  A dental hygienist may, pursuant to regulations adopted by the Board, administer local anesthesia or nitrous oxide in a health care facility, as defined in NRS 162A.740, if:

      (a) The dental hygienist is so authorized by the licensed dentist of the patient to whom the local anesthesia or nitrous oxide is administered; and

      (b) The health care facility has licensed medical personnel and necessary emergency supplies and equipment available when the local anesthesia or nitrous oxide is administered.

      (Added to NRS by 1971, 531; A 1981, 1975; 1983, 1114; 1987, 859; 1995, 216; 2001, 2694; 2009, 212)