ORS 679.612: Prohibition on unauthorized practice, use of title; exceptions.

(1) A person may not practice dental therapy or assume or use any title, words or abbreviations, including the title or designation “dental therapist,” that indicate that the person is authorized to practice dental therapy unless the person is licensed under ORS 679.603. (2) Subsection (1) of this section does not prohibit: (a) The practice of dental therapy by a health care provider performing services within the health care provider’s authorized scope of practice. (b) The practice of dental therapy in the discharge of official duties on behalf of the United States government, including but not limited to the Armed Forces of the United States, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service, the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (c) The practice of dental therapy pursuant to an educational program described in ORS 679.603. (d) A dental therapist authorized to practice in another state or jurisdiction from making a clinical presentation sponsored by a bona fide dental or dental therapy association or society or an accredited dental or dental therapy education program approved by the Oregon Board of Dentistry. (e) Bona fide students of dental therapy from engaging in clinical studies during the period of their enrollment and as a part of the course of study in a dental therapy education program described in ORS 679.603 (1). The clinical studies may be conducted on the premises of the program or in a clinical setting located off the premises. The facility, instructional staff and course of study at an off-premises location must meet minimum requirements established by the board by rule. The clinical studies at the off-premises location must be performed under the indirect supervision of a member of the program faculty. (f) Bona fide full-time students of dental therapy, during the period of their enrollment and as a part of the course of study in a dental therapy education program located outside of Oregon that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or its successor agency, from engaging in community-based or clinical studies as an elective or required rotation in a clinical setting located in Oregon, if the community-based or clinical studies meet minimum requirements established by the board by rule and are performed under the indirect supervision of a member of the faculty of the Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry. (g) The performance of duties by a federally certified dental health aide therapist or tribally authorized dental therapist in a clinic operated by the Indian Health Service, including, as described in 25 U.S.C. 1603, an Indian Health Service Direct Service Tribe clinic, a clinic operated under an Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (P.L. 93-638) contract or a clinic operated under an urban Indian organization. [2021 c.530 §6]