90-48.3. Board authority to include impaired dental hygienists in programs developed for impaired dentists.
The Board may enter into agreements with special impaired dentist peer review organizations to include programs for impaired dental hygienists, and the provisions of G.S. 90-48.2 shall apply to any such agreements and programs. Special impaired dentist peer review organizations shall have the authority to appoint to the organizations, upon the recommendation of the dental hygienist member of the Board, one additional member who is a licensed dental hygienist and the member shall participate in activities and programs as they relate to impaired dental hygienists. Peer liaisons and volunteers participating in programs for impaired dental hygienists shall be dental hygienists. Dental hygienists who work with special impaired dentist peer review organizations in conducting programs for impaired dental hygienists shall have the same protections and responsibilities as members of traditional State and local dental society peer review committees under Article 2A of this Chapter and as provided in G.S. 90-48.2. The provisions of G.S. 90-48.2 regarding confidentiality shall also be applicable to all dental hygienist activities authorized under this section.