What is an unlawful practice for a dental hygienist regarding advertising?

Advertising the ability to diagnose or prescribe treatments is considered an unlawful practice for a dental hygienist due to the clear delineation of roles and responsibilities in the dental profession. Dental hygienists are licensed professionals with specific training primarily focused on preventive oral care and educating patients about maintaining oral hygiene. Their scope of practice does not include making clinical diagnoses or prescribing treatment plans; these responsibilities are reserved for licensed dentists.

Promoting oneself as capable of diagnosing conditions or prescribing treatments misleads the public and undermines the established guidelines that protect patient safety and ensure that licensed professionals are providing appropriate care based on their respective training. This form of advertising could not only violate regulations but also create potential liability issues for both the hygienist and the dental practice.

It's important for dental hygienists to remain within the bounds of their defined practice and to accurately represent their qualifications and services to avoid any implication that they function in a role that exceeds their legal scope.