---
title: "What Is Scope of practice? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "The set of tasks a licensed or certified professional may legally perform in a state, defined by state law and board rules and often different for each dental..."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/scope-of-practice
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Team and HR

# Scope of practice

The set of tasks a licensed or certified professional may legally perform in a state, defined by state law and board rules and often different for each dental role.

Scope of practice sets what a licensed or certified professional may legally do. Each state decides for its own dental team. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says each state regulates the scope of practice for dental assistants. The American Dental Hygienists' Association adds that permitted functions and supervision vary by state.

The rules come from state dental practice acts and board rules. In Missouri, the rules sit in the dental practice act and board rules. Scope can change over time as states pass new laws.

Scope links to [dental hygiene supervision](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-hygiene-supervision), to the work an [expanded function dental assistant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/expanded-function-dental-assistant) may do, and to [delegation](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/delegation). Employers should check the current rules for their state. This entry is a general definition.

[Next stepPractice consulting with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting)

## Related terms

-   [Dental hygiene supervision](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-hygiene-supervision)
-   [Delegation](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/delegation)
-   [Expanded function dental assistant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/expanded-function-dental-assistant)
-   [Missouri Dental Board](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/missouri-dental-board)

## Sources

1.  [BLS, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Assistants](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm)
2.  [ADHA, Scope of Practice](https://www.adha.org/advocacy/scope-of-practice/)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)