(1) Dental hygienists. Solely for purposes of providing services under this chapter, dental hygienists holding endorsements under this chapter may assess by determining the need for (i.e., the absence of gross carious lesions and sealants) and acceptability of dental sealant or fluoride varnish treatment for children in school-based and school-linked programs. Dental hygienists may apply dental sealants and fluoride varnish treatments and may remove deposits and stains from the surfaces of teeth, without the supervision of a licensed dentist. This determination does not include or involve diagnosing conditions or constitute a dental examination.

(2) Dental assistants. A dental assistant is currently defined in RCW 18.260.010 as a person who is registered by the dental quality assurance commission to provide supportive services to a licensed dentist to the extent provided in chapter 18.260 RCW and under the close supervision of a dentist. Solely for purposes of this chapter, authorized dental assistants may apply dental sealants and fluoride varnish treatments to children in school-based and school-linked programs under the general supervision of a Washington state licensed dentist, as described in this chapter.

(a) Close supervision requires the supervising dentist to first determine the need for and acceptability of dental sealant and fluoride varnish treatments, refer the treatment and the dentist is continuously on-site and physically present in the treatment facility when the treatment is provided.

(b) General supervision requires the supervising dentist to first determine the need for and acceptability of dental sealant and fluoride varnish treatments, refer the treatment and the dentist does not have to be in the treatment facility when the treatment is provided.

(3) Dental assistants and their supervising dentists, as well as dental hygienists shall coordinate with local public health jurisdictions and local oral health coalitions prior to providing services under this chapter, consistent with RCW 18.29.220 and 18.32.226.