DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES
Colorado Dental Board 
DENTISTS & DENTAL HYGIENISTS
3 CCR 709-1
[Editor’s Notes follow the text of the rules at the end of this CCR Document.]
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Rule XXIV. Use of Lasers
(Adopted January 22, 2015, Effective March 30, 2015; Amended April 30, 2015, Effective June 30, 2015; Amended April 28, 2016, Effective June 30, 2016; Amended May 3, 2018, Effective July 3, 2018.)
A.	The requirements in this rule do not apply to use of non-adjustable laser units for purposes of diagnosis and curing.  
B.	Only a dentist may use a laser capable of the removal of hard and/or soft tissue in the treatment of a dental patient, except for incidental removal of granulation and degenerated tissue from the gingival wall of the periodontal pocket. 
C.	Laser use by a dental hygienist can only be performed under the indirect or direct supervision of a dentist and must be within the dental hygiene scope of practice. 
D.	A licensee who is a laser user or supervises a laser user must first successfully complete training that covers a minimum six (6) hours of laser physics, safety, and appropriate use prior to utilizing the laser.  A licensee must also complete at least two (2) hours of live and interactive training that addresses operation of the specific laser(s) utilized in the practice.  
1.	Training must be obtained through a course provided or recognized by any of the following organizations (or a successor organization):
a.	A Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited institution;
b.	The American Dental Association (ADA) Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP); 
c.	The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE); or 
d.	The American Medical Association (AMA). 
2.	A licensee utilizing a laser, other than what is described in section A of this rule, must maintain evidence of training as required in section D(1) of this rule. Upon request of the Board, the licensee must submit evidence of such training. 
E.	All lasers must be used in accordance with accepted safety guidelines.  
F.	When utilizing a laser pursuant to this rule, at a minimum, the following must be documented in the patient’s record:  
1.	Type of laser, including wavelength; 
2.	Settings used (pulse or continuous wave, power setting); 
3.	Type of anesthetic used, if any; 
4.	Size of fiber, tip or aperture of tip; and
5.	Procedure attempted/performed (with details to include hard or soft tissue removal). 
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Editor’s Notes
History
Rules XVII, XXVI eff. 07/01/2007.
Rules XXVI, XXIX, XXX eff. 12/31/2007.
Rule XXVI eff. 11/30/2008.
Rule III eff. 05/30/2009.
Rule III eff. 12/30/2009.
Rules III, XIV - XXX eff. 03/30/2010.
Rules I - IX, XI - XIII, XV - XXII eff. 12/30/2011.
Rules I, II, III, IX, XI, XII, XIII, XVI (repealed), XXIII, and XXIV eff. 03/30/2015. 
Rules XIII, XIV, and XXIV eff. 06/30/2015. 
Rule XXIII eff. 03/16/2016. 
Rules I, III, IV, V, VI (repealed), VII (repealed), VIII (repealed), IX, X, XIV, XV, XVI, XVIII, XIX (repealed), XX, XXI, XXII (repealed), XXIII, XXIV, and XXV eff. 06/30/2016. 
Rule XVII eff. 09/14/2016