C-1 Expanded Functions of Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists (1973, revised 1991, 1994, 2000, and 2005)
The American Student Dental Association endorses expanded functions for dental auxiliaries only when each has received the appropriate education and training to guarantee competence, and when such functions fall within the laws established by their respective state of employment.
It is incumbent on the profession to assure that expanded functions for dental auxiliaries will not adversely affect the health and well-being of the public.
The practice of dentistry entails more than the simple performance of routine technical procedures. A dentist must possess a wide range of knowledge of the biological, anatomical, and physiological sciences in order to successfully and safely perform such procedures. A dentist must also be able to process and apply both the knowledge and the skills acquired in dental school in order to successfully and safely perform these tasks.
Thus, only the dentist should perform the following functions. These functions include but are not limited to:
- Examination, diagnosis and treatment planning
- Prescribing work authorizations
- Performing irreversible dental procedures
- Prescribing drugs and/or other medications
C-2 Independent Practice (1985)
The American Student Dental Association is strongly opposed to independent dental hygiene practice, and favors the team approach for providing comprehensive dental care.
C-3 Standards of Dental Hygiene Education (1985, revised 1990 and 1993)
The American Student Dental Association is opposed to efforts that seek to train and qualify persons to practice dental hygiene who have not completed an accredited dental hygiene program or the necessary requirements of an accredited dental school and the associated state licensing agency.
C-4 Accreditation of Dental Programs (2010)
The American Student Dental Association supports Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) evaluation for accreditation of all programs that train dental providers to perform irreversible procedures.