What describes the supervision required for dental hygienists performing advanced procedures?

The correct answer is that dental hygienists performing advanced procedures must operate under both direct and indirect supervision. In the context of dental hygiene practice, supervision refers to the level of oversight a dentist must provide while dental hygienists execute certain procedures.

Direct supervision means that the dentist must be present in the office and available to provide immediate assistance if necessary while the hygienist performs the procedure. Indirect supervision, on the other hand, allows the hygienist to perform certain tasks while the dentist is not physically present, as long as they have a prior examination and an established plan for the patient, and the dentist has given their general consent.

Advanced procedures often require a higher level of quality assurance and patient safety, necessitating both types of supervision to ensure that any necessary assistance or intervention from a dentist can be provided as needed. By requiring both direct and indirect supervision for advanced procedures, the regulations aim to balance the needs of patient care with the hygienist’s independence in clinical practice.