Dental scope of practice

[bchurchmanpac]

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Are general dentist legally allowed to repair simple facial lacerations? Ie...a kid with a small cut on their chin requiring external sutures?
What about lacerations that involve the lip?
Any input is appreciated...I imagine there is some level of variance depending on state dental/medical boards.

 

[armorshell]

What you described is within the scope of practice as defined by the ADA.

 

[djeffreyt]

If you are qualified to do it, then you can decide to do it. If you've never put a suture into skin, you may not want to do it for the first time on some patient's kid. Just like cutting into a tooth, you now own that repair and if you do something to mess it up or make it scar horribly, that's on you.