Definitions

1   In this regulation:

"dental hygiene" means the health profession in which a person provides the types of health services referred to in section 16 [scope of practice for dental hygiene];

"dental hygienist" means a licensee who is authorized to practise dental hygiene;

"dental technician" means a licensee who is authorized to practise dental technology;

"dental technology" means the health profession in which a person provides the types of health services referred to in section 26 [scope of practice for dental technology];

"dentist" means a licensee who is authorized to practise dentistry;

"dentistry" means the health profession in which a person provides the types of health services referred to in section 7 [scope of practice for dentistry];

"denturism" means the health profession in which a person provides the types of health services referred to in section 29 [scope of practice for denturism];

"denturist" means a licensee who is authorized to practise denturism.

Designation of health professions

2   Each of the following continues to be designated as a designated health profession for the purposes of the Act:

(a) dentistry;

(b) dental hygiene;

(c) dental technology;

(d) denturism.

Regulator

3   The British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals is the regulator responsible for governing the designated health professions referred to in section 2.

Health profession corporations

4   A corporation that does not hold a health profession corporation permit must not carry on the business of providing health services to the public, if the health services are provided by licensees who practise any of the following designated health professions:

(a) dentistry;

(b) dental hygiene;

(c) denturism.

Use of "doctor"

5   (1) Despite anything to the contrary in this regulation, the title "doctor" may be used by a person who is entitled to use an academic or educational designation that consists of or includes that title.

(2) If any of the following circumstances apply, a licensee who is authorized under this regulation to use the title "doctor" must, in using the title, indicate clearly that the licensee is not a medical practitioner or is not authorized to practise medicine:

(a) the licensee is engaged in the practice of the licensee's designated health profession;

(b) without limiting paragraph (a), the licensee is interacting with a person in carrying out business, professional or other activities related to the practice of a designated health profession;

(c) the licensee is providing information to the public with respect to

(i) the practice of a designated health profession, or

(ii) a matter in relation to health.

(3) For certainty, a person described in subsection (1) who is also a licensee is subject to subsection (2).

(4) A board may make bylaws respecting the use of the title "doctor" for the purposes of subsection (2), including imposing prohibitions, requirements, limits and conditions that are additional to those set under that subsection.

Exclusive titles

6   Except as permitted under the Act, only a dentist who is authorized under the bylaws to do so may use the titles "dentist", "dental surgeon", "dental therapist" and "doctor".

Scope of practice for dentistry

7   (1) The following types of health services, provided primarily for the purposes set out in subsection (2), constitute the scope of practice for dentistry:

(a) assessing the physical health status of patients for the purpose of providing the health services referred to in paragraph (b);

(b) preventing, treating and managing diseases, disorders and conditions of the orofacial complex and associated anatomical structures;

(c) advising on oral health.

(2) The primary purposes for providing health services in the practice of dentistry are to promote, maintain and restore physical health as it relates to the diseases, disorders and conditions described in subsection (1) (b).

Accreditation standards

8   The board must make bylaws respecting diagnostic and surgical facilities in which dentistry is practised, including bylaws

(a) establishing or adopting accreditation standards, and

(b) providing for the inspection of those facilities to determine if they meet, and continue to meet, accreditation standards.

List of full restricted activities

9   A dentist may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table:

(a) item 5 [procedures on teeth];

(b) item 6 [venipuncture];

(c) items 11 to 16 [substances];

(d) items 18 to 20, 24 and 25 [insertions];

(e) items 29 to 36 [hazardous energy];

(f) items 38 to 45 [authorizations];

(g) items 46 to 49 [drugs];

(h) items 54 to 56 [dental appliances];

(i) item 65 [allergy testing].

Fitting methods

10   The methods that a dentist may use to fit a dental appliance include intra-oral procedures and the making of impressions.

List of limited restricted activities

11   A dentist may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table, but only as provided for in this Division:

(a) item 1 [diagnoses];

(b) items 2 and 3 [procedures on tissue];

(c) items 7 and 9 [bone fractures and joint dislocations];

(d) items 21 and 23 [insertions];

(e) item 28 [ultrasounds];

(f) item 37 [authorizations to apply ultrasound];

(g) items 52 and 53 [therapeutic diets].

Diagnoses

12   A dentist may diagnose a disease, disorder or condition that the dentist is authorized under section 7 (1) (b) [scope of practice for dentists] to prevent, treat and manage.

Other limited restricted activities

13   (1) A dentist may perform a procedure on tissue as follows:

(a) below the dermis of, or below the surface of a mucous membrane of, the orofacial complex and associated anatomical structures;

(b) below the dermis, for the purpose of removing tissue for use in reconstructive or other surgery on the orofacial complex and associated anatomical structures.

(2) A dentist may set a fracture of a bone, or reduce a dislocation of a joint, of the orofacial complex.

(3) A dentist may insert an instrument, device, finger or hand beyond the following:

(a) the opening of the urethra, for the purpose of catheterizing a patient;

(b) the anal verge, for the purpose of monitoring temperature.

(4) A dentist may apply or issue an authorization to apply ultrasound, except to a fetus, for diagnostic or imaging purposes.

(5) A dentist may dispense or administer a therapeutic diet that is to be administered by enteral instillation.

Private dental hygiene practice defined

14   In this Part, "private dental hygiene practice" means the practice of dental hygiene in circumstances where, ordinarily, a dentist is not on site or immediately available.

Exclusive title

15   Except as permitted under the Act, only a dental hygienist may use the title "dental hygienist".

Scope of practice for dental hygiene

16   (1) The following types of health services, provided primarily for the purposes set out in subsection (2), constitute the scope of practice for dental hygiene:

(a) assessing the physical health status of patients for the purpose of providing the health services referred to in paragraph (b);

(b) preventing, treating and managing diseases, disorders and conditions of the teeth and adjacent tissues;

(c) advising on oral health.

(2) The primary purposes for providing health services in the practice of dental hygiene are to promote, maintain and restore physical health as it relates to diseases, disorders and conditions described in subsection (1) (b).

Limits and conditions

17   (1) A dental hygienist must not perform permanent restoration procedures.

(2) A dental hygienist who engages in private dental hygiene practice must, in the course of providing dental hygiene services to a patient, recommend that the patient be examined by a dentist unless the dental hygienist

(a) has reason to believe that the patient has recently been examined by a dentist, or

(b) has recently recommended to the patient that the patient be examined by a dentist.

Practice standards

18   The board must make bylaws to establish or adopt practice standards respecting the following activities of dental hygienists:

(a) engagement in private dental hygiene practice;

(b) the application of X-rays.

List of limited restricted activities

19   A dental hygienist may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table, but only as provided for in this Division:

(a) item 1 [diagnoses];

(b) item 5 [procedures on teeth];

(c) item 9 [joint dislocations];

(d) item 14 [substances];

(e) item 36 [X-rays];

(f) item 49 [administering drugs].

Diagnoses

20   A dental hygienist may diagnose gingivitis and periodontitis.

Other limited restricted activities

21   (1) A dental hygienist may perform scaling, dental debridement or root planing on the surfaces of the teeth for the purpose of preventing, treating or managing diseases, disorders or conditions of the teeth.

(2) A dental hygienist may reduce a complete dislocation of a temporomandibular joint using manual therapy, if the dislocation occurs in the course of practising dental hygiene.

(3) A dental hygienist may administer a substance or Schedule III drug by irrigation for the purpose of preventing, treating or managing an oral health condition.

(4) A dental hygienist may apply intra-oral X-rays for diagnostic or imaging purposes in the course of assessment.

Administering drugs

22   (1) Subject to subsection (2), a dental hygienist may administer a Schedule I or II drug topically or by irrigation for the purpose of preventing, treating or managing diseases, disorders and conditions of the teeth or adjacent tissues.

(2) A dental hygienist must not administer a drug for which a prescription is required under the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act unless the patient has a prescription for the drug.

Restricted activities if order

23   A dental hygienist may apply extra-oral X-rays for diagnostic or imaging purposes in the course of assessment if acting under an order issued by a licensee who is authorized under the Act to apply extra-oral X-rays.

Restricted activities if certified

24   (1) Subject to subsection (2), a certified dental hygienist may administer a Schedule I or II drug topically or by injection for the purpose of providing oral local anaesthesia.

(2) A certified dental hygienist must not administer a drug for which a prescription is required under the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act unless the patient has a prescription for the drug.

Exclusive title

25   Except as permitted under the Act, only a dental technician may use the title "dental technician".

Scope of practice for dental technology

26   Performing the restricted activity of dispensing dental appliances is the health service that constitutes the scope of practice for dental technology.

Dispensing dental appliances

27   (1) In this section, "complete denture", "denture", "overdenture" and "partial denture" have the same meaning as in section 30 [definitions for Division].

(2) A dental technician may dispense a dental appliance as follows:

(a) on receiving a prescription with respect to a dental appliance, make or alter a dental appliance and provide the dental appliance to the person who issued the prescription;

(b) on receiving a written request from a denturist, make or alter a complete denture and provide the denture to the denturist who requested it;

(c) on receiving a written request from a denturist and a prescription with respect to a denture, make or alter a partial denture or overdenture and provide the denture to the denturist who requested it;

(d) make minor alterations to a removable dental appliance and provide the altered dental appliance to the person who requested the alterations, if the original design of the dental appliance is not changed.

Exclusive title

28   Except as permitted under the Act, only a denturist may use the title "denturist".

Scope of practice for denturism

29   (1) The following types of health services, provided primarily for the purposes set out in subsection (2), constitute the scope of practice for denturism:

(a) assessing a need for dentures;

(b) performing the restricted activities of dispensing and fitting dentures;

(c) advising on the use of dentures.

(2) The primary purposes for providing health services in the practice of denturism are to ensure the therapeutic and cosmetic suitability of a denture for its intended use.

Definitions for Division

30   In this Division:

"complete denture" means a dental prosthesis that

(a) replaces the natural teeth and associated structures in a dental arch that has no remaining natural teeth or roots, and

(b) is supported by soft tissue, but is not attached to or supported by natural teeth or implants;

"denture" means the following types of dental appliances, if removable by the patient:

(a) a complete denture;

(b) a partial denture;

(c) an overdenture;

"implants" means a device that has been inserted into, over, through or under the jawbone for the purpose of supporting a dental prosthesis;

"overdenture" means a dental prosthesis that replaces the natural teeth and is

(a) attached to or supported by implants, or

(b) attached to, supported by or covers retained roots or natural teeth;

"partial denture" means a dental prosthesis that

(a) restores one or more natural teeth or associated structures, and

(b) is supported in part by natural teeth, crowns or mucosa.

List of limited restricted activities

31   A denturist may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table, but only as provided for in this Division:

(a) item 9 [joint dislocations];

(b) items 55 and 56 [dental appliances].

Reduction of dislocated joint

32   A denturist may reduce a complete dislocation of a temporomandibular joint using manual therapy, if the dislocation occurs in the course of practising denturism.

Dispensing and fitting dental appliances

33   (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a denturist may do all of the following:

(a) dispense or fit a complete denture;

(b) on receiving a prescription with respect to a partial denture or overdenture, dispense or fit a partial denture or overdenture;

(c) make minor alterations to a partial denture or overdenture for the purpose of repairing or relining the partial denture or overdenture if

(i) the original design of the dental appliance is not changed, or

(ii) the denturist has the prior consent of the person who issued the original prescription for the dental appliance to change the original design.

(2) A denturist must not dispense or fit a denture referred to in a prescription other than as authorized in the prescription unless all of the following conditions are met:

(a) the denturist has the prior consent of the issuer of the prescription;

(b) both the denturist and the issuer of the prescription note the altered instruction on the patient's record;

(c) the altered instruction is communicated to a dental technician involved in making the denture, if any.

(3) A denturist must not, except on the instruction of a dentist, dispense or fit a denture for a patient, if, after the removal or loss of teeth in an arch, any of the following circumstances are present:

(a) wound closure is incomplete;

(b) sutures are still present;

(c) bone is exposed.

Fitting methods

34   The methods that a denturist may use to fit a dental appliance include non-surgical intra-oral procedures and the making of impressions.