(a) “Dental auxiliary” means a person who may perform dental supportive procedures authorized by the provisions of these regulations under the specified supervision of a licensed dentist.

(b) “Dental assistant” means an unlicensed person who may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by these regulations under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

(c) “Registered dental assistant” or “RDA” means a licensed person who may perform all procedures authorized by the provisions of these regulations and in addition may perform all functions which may be performed by a dental assistant under the designated supervision of a licensed dentist.

(d) “Registered dental hygienist” or “RDH” means a licensed person who may perform all procedures authorized by the provisions of these regulations and in addition may perform all functions which may be performed by a dental assistant and registered dental assistant, under the designated supervision of a licensed dentist.

(e) “Registered dental assistant in extended functions” or “RDAEF” means a person licensed as a registered dental assistant who has completed post-licensure clinical and didactic training approved by the board and satisfactorily performed on an examination designated by the board for registered dental assistant in extended function applicants.

(f) “Registered dental hygienist in extended functions” or “RDHEF” means a person licensed as a registered dental hygienist who has completed post-licensure clinical and didactic training approved by the board and satisfactorily performed on an examination designated by the board for registered dental hygienist in extended functions applicants.

(g) “Oral prophylaxis” means the preventive dental procedures including complete removal of explorer-detectable calculus, soft deposits, plaque, stains, and the smoothing of unattached tooth surfaces. The objective of this treatment shall be creation of an environment in which hard and soft tissues can be maintained in good health by the patient.

(h) “Coronal polishing” means a procedure limited to the removal of plaque and stain from exposed tooth surfaces, utilizing an appropriate rotary instrument with rubber cup or brush and a polishing agent.

(i) “Direct supervision” means supervision of dental procedures based on instructions given by a licensed dentist who must be physically present in the treatment facility during performance of those procedures.

(j) “General supervision” means supervision of dental procedures based on instructions given by a licensed dentist, but not requiring the physical presence of the supervising dentist during the performance of those procedures.

(k) “Satisfactory educational qualification” means theory, laboratory and/or clinical experience approved by the board.

(l) “Basic supportive dental procedures” means fundamental duties or functions which may be performed by an unlicensed dental assistant under the supervision of a licensed dentist because of their technically elementary characteristics, complete reversibility and inability to precipitate potentially hazardous conditions for the patient being treated.

(m) “Root planing” means the process of instrumentation by which the unattached surfaces of the root are made smooth by the removal of calculus and/or cementum.

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

(o) “Gingival” means pertaining to the gingivae, the mucous membrane with the supporting fibrous tissue.