Digital Scanning is Considered the Same as Taking an Impression

By Casey Stoutamire, FDA Chief Legal Officer

Did you know that digital scanning is considered the same as taking an impression under the Board of Dentistry (BOD) rules? This means that most digital scanning done by dental assistants must be done under direct supervision. In contrast, most done by dental hygienists can be done under general supervision if they have formal training.

As a reminder, direct supervision requires that a licensed dentist examine the patient, diagnose a condition to be treated, authorize the procedure to be performed, be on the premises and approve the work performed prior to the patient’s departure from the premises. General supervision requires that a licensed dentist authorizes the procedures to be performed but need not be present when the authorized procedures are being implemented. The approved procedures may also be performed at a place other than the dentist’s usual place of practice.

You can find the BOD rules on tasks delegable to dental assistants and hygienists here: bit.ly/3Wacgi8. Again, when reading the rules, when you see the word “impression,” that also applies to digital scanning.