Ark. Code Ann. § 17-82-102 (2026)
Definitions
As used in this chapter:
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“Practicing dentistry” means:
- The evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment by nonsurgical, surgical, or related procedures of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area, and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body, but not for the purpose of treating diseases, disorders, and conditions unrelated to the oral cavity, maxillofacial area, and the adjacent and associated structures; and
- The sale or offer for sale of those articles or services of dentistry enumerated in § 17-82-105(a).
- “Practicing dentistry” shall include, but not be limited to, the administration of anesthetics for the purpose of or in connection with the performance of any of the acts, services, or practices enumerated or described in this section.
- Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit a licensed physician from extracting teeth in an emergency when, in his or her considered professional judgment, it is necessary and when it is not practicable or reasonable to secure the services of a licensed dentist; and
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“Practicing dentistry” means:
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- “The practice of dental hygiene” means the assessment, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases provided by a licensed dental hygienist under the supervision of a licensed dentist as set out in the rules of the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.
- The practice of dental hygiene shall include the removal of deposits from supergingival and subgingival surfaces of the teeth and any other services which the board may authorize by rule and which are not prohibited by any provision of this chapter.
History. Acts 1955, No. 14, §§ 10, 13; 1969, No. 91, § 1; 1977, No. 258, § 1; 1981, No. 889, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 72-543, 72-546; Acts 1999, No. 143, § 1; 2001, No. 439, § 1; 2019, No. 315, § 1511.
Amendments. The 2019 amendment substituted “rules” for “regulations” in (2)(A) and “rule” for “regulation” in (2)(B).
Case Notes
Denturists.
In enacting subchapters 1-3 of this chapter and § 4-29-401 et seq., the General Assembly meant to preclude denturists, acting in concert with licensed dentists, from owning or managing dental facilities where nonlicensed persons would make impressions for dentures; thus, the board was well within its authority in adopting and enforcing regulations defining the making of such impressions as the practice of dentistry. Brazil v. Ark. Bd. of Dental Exam'rs, 593 F. Supp. 1354 (E.D. Ark. 1984), aff'd, 759 F.2d 674 (8th Cir. 1985).
Practicing Dentistry.
Testimony clearly brought missionary training school within definition of “practicing dentistry.” Missionary Supporters, Inc. v. Ark. State Bd. of Dental Exmrs., 231 Ark. 38, 328 S.W.2d 139 (1959).
Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners was a necessary party in a case involving the issue of whether a dentist performing certain surgical procedures was engaged in the practice of medicine. Ark. State Medical Bd. v. Bolding, 324 Ark. 238, 920 S.W.2d 825 (1996).
The practice of dentistry or the defninition of oral and maxillofacial surgery does not include such procedures as scalp surgeries, eyelid surgeries, and facelifts as a matter of law. Ark. State Medical Bd. v. Bolding, 324 Ark. 238, 920 S.W.2d 825 (1996).