State of Maine Board of Dental Examiners 143 State House Station • 161 Capitol Street • Augusta, ME 04333-0143 Phone: 207-287-3333 • Fax: 207-287-8140

            

    State Government Office Closures-Fiscal years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011

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    CONFIDENTIAL HELP AVAILABLE

Confidential professional help for substance abuse is available by calling The Medical Professionals Health Program at: 207-623-9266 or by e-mailing them at:  mphp@mainemed.com.  Visit the MPHP website at:  www.mainemed.com/health/index.php for further information.

 

    CERTIFICATE OF ORAL CONDITION

Upon the receipt of a written statement of oral condition or oral health certificate, as determined by the board, by a licensed dentist, a denturist may complete clinical procedures related to the fabrication of a removable tooth-borne partial denture, including cast frameworks.  The Certificate of Oral Condition represents a collaborative effort between the involved licensed Dentist(s) and Denturist(s).  The collaborative effort should include providing the patient with: a recommended treatment plan; a recommended periodontal recall plan; and a recommended office location for periodontal care.

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    BOARD POSITION ON SCOPE OF PRACTICE.

The Dental Board Staff Office receives numerous calls regarding “scope of practice” issues for its licensees.  Sometimes these calls are received from dental employees who are being asked to perform a task that they are not sure is allowed under current laws and rules governing their license/employee status.  It is the Board’s position that it is the responsibility of all of its licensees to be familiar with and understand their scope of practice.  Each licensee should know and understand what procedures are permitted under his/her license and each employer should be aware of the procedures that are/are not allowed for their respective employees.  Contained within the pages of “The Laws and Rules Relating to the Practice of Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, and Denturism” (February 11, 2009) are details concerning scope of practice for each licensee/employee.  If a particular procedure is not identified within a particular license/employee category, then one may assume that it is not a permitted procedure.  As the laws and rules do change, it is prudent to check the Board’s website for the most up to date version. 

 

    BOARD POLICY ON INDEPENDENT PRACTICE DENTAL HYGIENISTS AND REFERRAL NETWORKS.

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    IPDH LEGISLATION

IPDH legislation enacted by the 123^rd Legislature does not automatically convert registered dental hygienists (RDH’s) to IPDH’s. As with all other licensure categories there is an application process to be undertaken before this license may be granted to an individual; the application is available on our Forms & Applications Page.  Licensed IPDH's still have allowable/not allowable procedures as do licensed RDH's.  An Independent Practice Dental Hygienist (IPDH) may practice without supervision by a dentist to the extent allowed; an IPDH may perform duties under the supervision of a dentist.  A Registered Dental Hygienist license (RDH) issued by the Maine Board of Dental Examiners (MBDE) automatically expires upon issuance of an IPDH license to the same person. You must submit an application & sit for an interview to be considered for this license.  Please Note:  An IPDH who holds a Local Anesthesia and/or Nitrous Oxide permit may only administer  local anesthesia or nitrous under the direct supervision of a dentist. 

 

    RENEWING DENTAL PROFESSIONALS PLEASE TAKE NOTE re:  Continuing Education Credits.  Hands on courses are not worth double credits in Maine…One credit hour may be claimed for each hour of participation (see Ch 13, Item II, B.2).  Similarly, there seems to be confusion surrounding general attendance credits…General Attendance credits may only be taken for multi-day attendance at a multi-day convention.  Actual course names must be listed on the CE log provided in your renewal materials.  You may refer to Chapter 13 of the Dental Practice Act for answers to your Continuing Education Credit questions.  Staff is extremely busy during renewal periods so you are encouraged to perform a Licensee Search to check the status of your license.

 

A status of AY [A = Active / Y = Renewal Pending] means your license has been placed under Title 5; this authorizes you to continue working under your old license until your renewal can be acted upon.  If necessary, a copy of Title 5 can be obtained by e-mailing dental.board@maine.gov.

 

If your renewal paperwork (Renewal Form, Fee, & CE log) has been received at the Staff Office, postmarked by December 31^st of the year, you are still authorized to practice.  If, however, you have not mailed your renewal paperwork, postmarked by December 31^st, you cannot legally practice after that date.

 

    Information on how the Online Change of Contact Information application works can be found on our Contact Page.  Check it out at https://www.pfr.maine.gov/ALMSOnline/ALMSChangeContact/Welcome.aspx or by going to our Links section.  

 

    Directions to the Board offices are available on our home page; the link below the map will allow you to go to Map Quest; this will enable you to map directions from your location to ours.  

 

    CPR certification or recertification is required for all new licensees (Dentists, Denturists, Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDA’s), Hygienists, Independent Practice Dental Hygienists (IPDH’s) and Radiographers), as well as the renewal of those same licenses. On-line CPR is not acceptable.  It is the Boards intention that CPR be maintained continuously.  

 

    Please be aware that ONLY the Maine Board of Dental Examiners has the right, and is obligated to authorize licenses and/or permits.