Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 333. Health § 333.16601

(a) “Assignment” means that a dentist has designated a patient of record on whom services are to be performed and has described the procedures to be performed. The dentist need not be physically present in the office or in the treatment room at the time the procedures are being performed.

(b) “Dental laboratory” means a dental workroom that is operated as a part of a dental office or otherwise, by a person, other than a dentist, who is engaged in, or holds himself, herself, or itself out as being directly or indirectly engaged in, constructing, repairing, or altering prosthetic dentures, bridges, orthodontic or other appliances, or structures to be used as substitutes for or as a part of human teeth or jaws or associated structures, or for the correction of malocclusions or deformities.

(c) “Dentist” means an individual who is licensed under this article to engage in the practice of dentistry.

(d) “Practice of dentistry” means the diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or operation for a disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of the human tooth, teeth, alveolar process, gums or jaws, or their dependent tissues, or an offer, undertaking, attempt to do, or holding oneself out as able to do any of these acts.

(e) “Practice as a dental assistant” means assistance in the clinical practice of dentistry based on formal education, specialized knowledge, and skill at the assignment and under the supervision of a dentist.

(f) “Practice as a dental hygienist” means practice at the assignment of a dentist in that specific area of dentistry based on specialized knowledge, formal education, and skill with particular emphasis on preventive services and oral health education.

(g) “Practice as a dental therapist” means providing any of the care and services, and performing any of the duties, described in section 16656.  1