States Permitting Dental Hygienists
to Administer Local Anesthesia
and Nitrous Oxide

Supervision Requirement

• Supervision by a licensed dentist for both local anesthesia and nitrous oxide administration by a registered dental hygienist

Educational Requirement

• Successful completion of a course in both local anesthesia and nitrous oxide administration offered by a dental or dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
• Current certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Local Anesthesia States (39):
Plus Washington D.C. (The District of Columbia)

Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming

Nitrous Oxide States (25):
Plus Washington D.C. (The District of Columbia)

Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming

History:

Since 1972, dental hygienists have been able to administer local anesthesia. Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington have allowed dental hygienists to administer local anesthetics for 25 years or longer. There is no scientific evidence demonstrating harm to dental patients by dental hygienists administering these substances. In fact, dental hygienists have demonstrated successful and safe administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide.