District of Columbia

Current Law

D.C. Code § 3-1201.02

Includes oral cancer screening within the defined scope of practice for licensed dental hygienists in the District of Columbia. As part of their authorized duties, dental hygienists may perform a preliminary dental examination that explicitly includes screening for oral cancer. This incorporation into routine dental care highlights the role of dental hygienists in the early detection and prevention of oral cancer, reinforcing the importance of integrating such screenings into standard oral health assessments.