The definitions in this section apply throughout WAC 246-817-501 through 246-817-570 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Close supervision" means that a supervising dentist whose patient is being treated has personally diagnosed the condition to be treated and has personally authorized the procedures to be performed. The supervising dentist is continuously on-site and physically present in the treatment facility while the procedures are performed by the assistive personnel and capable of responding immediately in the event of an emergency. Close supervision does not require a supervising dentist to be physically present in the operatory.

(2) "Coronal polishing" means a procedure limited to the removal of plaque and stain from exposed tooth surfaces, using an appropriate instrument and polishing agent.

This procedure is not intended or interpreted to be an oral prophylaxis as defined in subsection (8) of this section a procedure specifically reserved to be performed by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist. Coronal polishing may, however, be a portion of the oral prophylaxis procedure.

(3) "Debridement at the periodontal surgical site" means curettage or root planing after reflection of a flap by the supervising dentist. This does not include cutting of osseous tissues.

(4) "Elevating soft tissues" means part of a surgical procedure involving the use of the periosteal elevator to raise flaps of soft tissues. Elevating soft tissue is not a separate and distinct procedure in and of itself.

(5) "General supervision" means that a supervising dentist has examined and diagnosed the patient and provided subsequent instructions to be performed by the assistive personnel, but does not require that the dentist be physically present in the treatment facility.

(6) "Incising" means part of the surgical procedure of which the end result is removal of oral tissue. Incising, or the making of an incision, is not a separate and distinct procedure in and of itself.

(7) "Luxation" means an integral part of the surgical procedure of which the end result is extraction of a tooth. It is the dislocation or displacement of a tooth or of the temporomandibular articulation.

(8) "Oral prophylaxis" means the preventive dental procedure of scaling and polishing which includes complete removal of calculus, soft deposits, plaque, stains and the smoothing of unattached tooth surfaces. The objective of this treatment is to create an environment in which hard and soft tissues can be maintained in good health by the patient.

(9) "Periodontal soft tissue curettage" means the closed removal of tissue lining the periodontal pocket, not involving the reflection of a flap.

(10) "Root planing" means the process of instrumentation by which the unattached surfaces of the root are made smooth by the removal of calculus or deposits.

(11) "Supportive services" means services that are related to clinical functions in direct relationship to treating a patient.

(12) "Suturing" is defined as the readaption of soft tissue by use of stitches as a phase of an oral surgery procedure.

(13) "Treatment facility" means a dental office or connecting suite of offices, dental clinic, room or area with equipment to provide dental treatment, or the immediately adjacent rooms or areas. A treatment facility does not extend to any other area of a building in which the treatment facility is located.

(14) "Volunteer dental assistant" means an individual who, without compensation, provides the supportive services under WAC 246-817-520 in a charitable dental clinic.