One of the most common questions in laser dentistry is whether dental hygienists are allowed to use soft tissue diode lasers. Like many devices and treatments, this is governed by individual state regulations. Where permitted, use is typically limited to nonsurgical hygiene procedures like laser bacterial reduction (LBR).

Currently, only six states actually prohibit laser use by dental hygienists. Elsewhere, it is either explicitly permitted or not mentioned in state regulations. In cases where a state makes no mention of RDH laser use, licensees can typically still use them given the appropriate training and supervision. Of course, always check with your local dental board for specific regulations and training requirements.

Here are the complete lists of states by category: