Which of the following tasks can be delegated to a dental hygienist?

Performing health history assessments is a task that can be delegated to a dental hygienist because it is within the scope of practice defined for their role. Dental hygienists are trained to gather comprehensive health histories from patients, which is essential for ensuring safe and effective treatment plans. This task helps the dental team in understanding the patient's overall health and any potential risk factors that may affect dental treatment.

In contrast, practicing general dentistry procedures is reserved for licensed dentists, who have undergone additional education and training necessary for those interventions. Prescribing medication is also strictly limited to dentists and other qualified medical professionals, as it requires a deeper understanding of pharmacology and patient management. Finally, conducting legal investigations is outside the scope of any clinical dental practice and typically falls within the realm of law or regulatory bodies, not the responsibilities of a dental hygienist.