{"data":{"id":"us-me/32-m.r.s.-18373","jurisdiction":"us-me","citation":"32 M.R.S. §18373","heading":"Expanded function dental assistant","body":"1.  Scope of practice.  An expanded function dental assistant may perform under the general supervision of a dentist all of the activities that may be delegated by a dentist to an unlicensed person pursuant to section 18371, subsection 3.  An expanded function dental assistant may also perform the following activities authorized under the general supervision of a dentist:\nA.  Apply cavity liners and bases as long as the dentist:\n(1)  Has ordered the cavity liner or base; and\n(2)  Has checked the cavity liner or base prior to the placement of the restoration;\nB.  Apply pit and fissure sealants after an evaluation of the teeth by the dentist at the time of sealant placement;\nC.  Apply supragingival desensitizing agents to an exposed root surface or dentinal surface of teeth;\nD.  Apply topical fluorides recognized for the prevention of dental caries;\nE.\nF.\nG.  Place and contour amalgam, composite and other restorative materials prior to the final setting or curing of the material;\nH.\nI.  Place and remove gingival retraction cord;\nJ.\nK.  Size, place and cement or bond orthodontic bands and brackets with final inspection by the dentist;\nL.  Supragingival polishing using a slow-speed rotary instrument and rubber cup;\nM.\nN.\nO.\nP.\nQ.\nR.\nS.\nT.\nU.\nV.\nW.\nX.\nY.\nZ.\nAA.\nBB.\nCC.\nDD.\nEE.\nFF.\nGG.\nHH.  Contour or finish restorative materials using a high-speed, power-driven handpiece or instrument; and\nII.  Expose and process radiographs.\n2.  Scope of practice; general supervision.\n3.  Procedures not authorized.  An expanded function dental assistant may not engage in the following activities:\nA.  Complete or limited examination, diagnosis or treatment planning;\nB.  Surgical or cutting procedures of hard or soft tissue;\nC.  Prescribing drugs, medicaments or work authorizations;\nD.  Pulp capping, pulpotomy or other endodontic procedures;\nE.  Placement and intraoral adjustments of fixed or removable prosthetic appliances; or\nF.  Administration of local anesthesia, parenteral or inhalation sedation or general anesthesia.","path":["TITLE 32: PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS","CHAPTER 143: DENTAL PROFESSIONS","SUBCHAPTER 4: SCOPE OF PRACTICE; SUPERVISION; PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS"],"source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/32/title32sec18373.html","current_through":"October 1, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:37Z","sha256":"7d7620cf00680e2e773f9bbf4e7cad3dad0cfee906662a843299a1691a5d4d87","source_id":"us-me","stale":false,"prev":"us-me/32-m.r.s.-18372","next":"us-me/32-m.r.s.-18374"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}