Q: WHAT ARE THE LAWS IN COLORADO? NON-STRICT RADIATION CONTROL

Board Rule:

12-35-128 page 22: dental hygienists are authorized to perform soft tissue curettage under indirect supervision

Rule XXIV. Use of Lasers

(Adopted January 22, 2015, Effective March 30, 2015; Amended April 30, 2015, Effective June 30, 2015;

Amended April 28, 2016, Effective June 30, 2016; Amended May 3, 2018, Effective July 3, 2018.)

A. The requirements in this rule do not apply to use of non-adjustable laser units for purposes of diagnosis

and curing.

REFERS TO DIAGNODENT AND CURING LIGHT

B. Only a dentist may use a laser capable of the removal of hard and soft tissue in the treatment of a

dental patient.

ALL LASERS ARE CAPABLE OF CUTTING THE SOFT TISSUE, ONLY "ALL TISSUE" LASERS ARE CAPABLE OF CUTTING BOTH HARD AND SOFT TISSUE. THIS IS MEANT TO BE, "ONLY A DENTIST IS CAPABLE OF PERFORMING A PROCEDURE THAT CUTS HARD AND SOFT TISSUE. THIS CAN BE CONFUSING, BUT THE RULES ARE FURTHER EXPOUNDED UPON AND FURTHER CLARIFIES BELOW.

C. Laser use by a dental hygienist can only be performed under the indirect or direct supervision of a

dentist and must be within the dental hygiene scope of practice.

COLORADO HYGIENISTS OPERATE UNDER INDIRECT: MEANING HYGIENISTS CAN USE A LASER WITHOUT THE DENTIST BEING PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN THE OFFICE, SO LONG AS THE MEDICAL HISTORY AND EXAM ARE WITHIN THE YEAR OF (TREATMENT) SERVICES RENDERED. ACCORDING TO THE STATUTE REFERENCED ABOVE, THEY ARE GOOD TO INTENTIONALLY INITIATE AND "CURETTAGE".

D. A licensee who is a laser user or supervises a laser user must first successfully complete training that

covers a minimum of eight (8) hours of laser physics, safety, and appropriate use, to include a hands

on component, prior to utilizing the laser.

THE TRAINING PROVIDED TO YOU BY DENTAL HYGIENE INTEGRATIONS MEETS/EXCEEDS THIS STANDARD.

1. Training must be obtained through a course provided or recognized by any of the following

organizations (or a successor organization):

a. A Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited institution;

b. The American Dental Association (ADA) Continuing Education Recognition Program

(CERP);

c. The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Program Approval for Continuing Education

(PACE) The training provided to you by Dental Hygiene Integrations meets/exceeds this standard, as we are an AGD Pace credentialed provider; or

d. The American Medical Association (AMA).

2. A licensee utilizing a laser, other than what is described in section A of this rule, must

maintain evidence of training as required in section D(1) of this rule. Upon request of the

Board, the licensee must submit evidence of such training.

3. A licensee must also complete live and interactive training that addresses operation of the

specific laser(s) utilized in the practice.

THE TRAINING PROVIDED TO YOU BY DENTAL HYGIENE INTEGRATIONS MEETS/EXCEEDS THIS STANDARD FOR DIODE AKA SOFT TISSUE LASERS, AS "LIVE" INDICATES YOU ARE PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN THE COURSE AND CAN SPEAK DIRECTLY (FACE TO FACE) WITH THE COURSE INSTRUCTOR/PROVIDER; "SPECIFIC LASER(S)" INDICATES YOU ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN TRAINING SPECIFIC TO THE TYPE OF LASER YOU USE. AS STATED AND RECOMMENDED IN CLASS, IF YOU GO ON TO UTILIZE AN "ALL TISSUE LASER" IE. CO2 CARBON DIOXIDE LASER OR ERBIUM CLASS LASERS IE. ND: YAG, ER: YSGG WATERLASE, YOU MUST OBTAIN TRAINING SPECIFIC TO THAT LASER. THE BOARD HAS THE FORESIGHT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EACH LASER HAS VARIATION IN DEPTH OF PENETRATION, TECHNIQUE, POWER DENSITY, SETTINGS, AND SO ON. PLEASE NOTE: YOUR TRAINING OBTAINED BY DLI COVERS USE OF ALL SOFT TISSUE AKA DIODE LASERS, REGARDLESS OF MODEL/BRAND.

E. All lasers must be used in accordance with accepted safety guidelines.

SEE COLORADO RADIATION SAFETY ACT. SAFETY TRAINING included in our coursework WILL EXCEED YOUR MINIMUM STATE STANDARDS

F. When utilizing a laser pursuant to this rule, at a minimum, the following must be documented in the

patient’s record: SEE 1-4.

1.Type of laser, including wavelength;

2.Settings used (pulse or continuous wave, power setting);

3.Size of fiber, tip, or aperture of tip; and

4.Procedure performed with details to include hard and/or soft tissue removal.