Abstract
According to the 2025 Bowen Policy Snapshot: Indiana Dental Workforce in Context, Indiana faces ongoing dental workforce shortages, with 63 of 92 counties (68 percent) designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (a federal designation indicating insufficient dental providers). This shortage presents growing challenges for licensed dentists in recruiting and retaining qualified dental assistants and hygienists, roles essential to patient care and practice efficiency. In Indiana, the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene are governed by statutes in the Indiana Code (IC) and administrative rules in the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC). Statutes are laws enacted by the legislature; rules are detailed regulations adopted by the State Board of Dentistry to implement the laws. Together, they define key concepts such as prescriptive supervision and delegation. Understanding these legal distinctions is necessary for ensuring compliance and optimizing team function in delivering patient care.
Recommended Citation
(2025)
"Defining Prescriptive Supervision and Delegation in Indiana: The Essential Roles of the Dental Hygienist and the Dental Assistant on the Dental Team,"
Journal IDA: Vol. 104:
Iss.
3, Article 4.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/journal-ida/vol104/iss3/4