Who may perform coronal polishing, and when? Is coronal polishing considered an oral prophylaxis?
An unlicensed dental assistant may not perform coronal polishing. Only a licensed RDA may perform coronal polishing, AFTER successful completion of a Board-approved course and submission of certification thereof to the Board. A licensed dentist or registered dental hygienist must determine that the teeth to be polished are free of calculus or other extraneous material PRIOR to coronal polishing. Coronal polishing may not be intended or interpreted as a complete oral prophylaxis, which is a procedure which can be performed only by a licensed dentist or registered dental hygienist. An oral prophylaxis is defined in Regulation Section 1067(g) as: “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.
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