Which professional is allowed to perform procedures that can’t be delegated to dental assistants?

The correct choice is dental hygienist because this professional is specifically trained and licensed to perform a variety of specialized procedures that cannot be delegated to dental assistants. In Oklahoma, dental hygienists are authorized to carry out tasks such as performing prophylaxis, scaling, root planing, and fluoride treatments, all of which require a higher level of training and expertise than what is required for dental assistants.

While dental technicians and dental therapists may have significant roles in the dental field, their scopes of practice do not include the same range of clinical procedures that dental hygienists are trained to perform. General dentists also have extensive training and are licensed to perform a diverse array of dental procedures, but the focus of this question is specifically on which professional can perform procedures that cannot be delegated to dental assistants. Therefore, dental hygienists are recognized for their unique qualifications and responsibilities in performing these complex tasks.