Sean G. Boynes, DMD, MS, is director of interprofessional practice at Boston-based DentaQuest Institute, a national nonprofit organization providing clinical care and practice management solutions to help providers improve oral health. Boynes has authored more than 75 publications. His book, Dental Anesthesiology: A Guide to the Rules and Regulations of the United States, is used as a reference guide by many dental organizations and oversight boards. He can be reached at dentmedconsulting@gmail.com.
Even though dental hygienists have been administering local anesthesia for more than 40 years, there is still no consensus on national education standards or utilization guidelines.