The Dental Practice Act/Administrative Rules are not written in a list form outlining the duties that can be performed by a dental assistant since it is not a licensed profession in the State of Wisconsin. Since all dental assistant duties are delegated by the dentist, an assistant should not be performing any service on patients… Continue Reading What can a dental assistant do?
According to Chapter 447 of Wisconsin statutes, Section 447.01(3) (a-g), dental hygiene means: (a) Removing supragingival or subgingival calcareous deposits, subgingival cement or extrinsic stains from a natural or restored surface of or a fixed replacement for a human tooth. (b) Deep scaling or root planing a human tooth. (c) Conditioning a human tooth surface… Continue Reading What is the scope of practice and limitations for dental hygiene?
Chapter 447 – Wisconsin Statutes Section 447.06(2) (c) (1-3) Practice Limitations Yes, only if all of the following conditions are met: Patient gives consent to be treated when the dentist is not on the premises. Hygienist is acting under the written or oral prescription of the dentist. Patient has been examined by the dentist within… Continue Reading Can a registered dental hygienist see patients of a dental practice without the dentist present?
A dentist can delegate the administration of local anesthetic to a dental hygienist only if ALL of the following criteria have been met: The dental hygienist is certified to administer local anesthetic in Wisconsin under s.447.04(2)(c)1 (certification is obtained from the Dentistry Examining Board – educational requirements are found in DE Rule 7). The delegation… Continue Reading Under what circumstances can administration of local anesthetic be delegated to a dental hygienist?
Prior to treating a minor child, you must obtain informed consent from a parent, guardian or legal custodian of the child. Wisconsin law defines a “parent” as a: Biological parent Husband who has consented to artificial insemination of his wife Parent by adoption Father who has had his paternity established in accordance with applicable law… Continue Reading Can a stepparent act on behalf of a minor child to provide informed consent and authorization for dental treatment?
Generally not, unless the stepparent has formally adopted the child. Information relating to a minor child cannot be shared with a stepparent, unless a stepparent formally adopts a child. Information included within dental records is treated as HIPAA-protected health information. HIPAA permits the disclosure of a child’s protected health information only to a parent, guardian… Continue Reading Can I share information relating to a minor child with his or her stepparent?
The ability to make decisions regarding treatment of a minor child depends on which parent has legal custody of the child. In cases where the parents have joint legal custody, they each have the right to make decisions (just as they did when they were together prior to the divorce). Physical custody alone does not… Continue Reading Following a divorce, which parent has the right to make treatment decisions on behalf of a minor child?
The answer to the question of responsibility between divorced parents for a minor child’s dental expenses is similar to the treatment decisions question above – it depends. Generally, payment should be sought from the parent with the court-assigned responsibility for the expenses. As with treatment decisions, the only way to be absolutely certain which parent… Continue Reading If a divorced parent is delinquent in paying for a child’s dental expenses, can I contact the other parent to collect?
When a child is covered by more than one benefit plan, it is necessary to determine which pays first to avoid duplication of benefits. As a general rule, coordination of benefits depends on the benefit or insurance plans involved and the surrounding circumstances. This is particularly true for self-funded plans and individual insurance contracts, where… Continue Reading How are insurance benefits coordinated for a child of divorced parents?
As a rule, you may attempt to collect upon a delinquent account at any time. However, there are a number of considerations that may affect what you decide to do in any particular situation. In the specific situation described: Consider the amount involved and whether there is an ongoing relationship with the patient. If it… Continue Reading I mistakenly thought a patient’s delinquent account was sent to collections. The account is several years overdue and the patient has not received any statements from my office for years. What are my options?