Effective March 1, 2016, the Dentistry Examining Board updated Chapter DE 14 relating to informed consent and Chapter DE 15 certification of a dental hygienist to administer nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia.
Prior to the passage of 2013 Wisconsin Act 345, obtaining informed consent had not been codified. Act 345 makes it the duty of dentists to obtain informed consent from patients and establishes this practice as the standard for informing patients about their treatment options.
This standard requires disclosure only of the information that a reasonable dentist would know and disclose under the circumstances.
Information on informed consent can be found online: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/register/2016/722B/register/final/cr_15_057_rule_text/cr_15_057_rule_text
The DEB shall grant certification to administer nitrous oxide to a hygienist who:
- Holds a valid hygiene license
- And, has completed the additional educational requirements of a didactic and clinical certification program to become competent in the administration of nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia.
The certified hygienist must administer nitrous oxide under the delegation of a dentist and pursuant to an approved treatment plan set forth by the dentist.
For more information on educational requirements, visit: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/de/11/03
