Kentucky defines Dental Assistant as "a person who is directly involved with the care and treatment of a patient under the direct supervision of a dentist and performs reversible procedures delegated by a dentist licensed in the Commonwealth." Therefore, dental assistants may not perform any procedures that typically require the professional competence of a licensed dentist or licensed dental hygienist. This includes but is not limited to:
- The practice of dental hygiene or the use of instruments which remove deposits or accretions from the teeth
- Diagnosis of diseases, disorders, or conditions of the oral cavity
- Treatment planning and prescribing, or authorization for oral appliances
- Surgery or any other procedure that contributes to an irreversible alteration of the oral anatomy
- Administering injectable medication or anesthesia, unless otherwise authorized by law