Supervision in Private Dental Facilities
Direct supervision is still defined as the dentist having examined the patient , authorized the procedure to be preformed , is physically present in the dental facility and available when the procedure occurs and takes full professional responsibility for the completed procedure .
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Dental Hygienist Supervision & Scope of Practice
Supervision in Private Dental Facilities
Dentists should adhere to the ASA Classifications ( see State
Board of Dentistry regulations ) used to determine a patient ’ s health and treatment plan , as well as the level of supervision needed . There have been changes to how the classifications apply to supervision of dental hygienists . Most notably , the definition of general supervision was changed so that hygienists may provide hygiene services to patients within one year of a dentist having examined a patient , rendered a diagnosis and treatment plan , and authorized the hygiene services . Previously , hygienists had to provide these services within 90 days of the dentist ’ s examination .
Direct supervision is still defined as the dentist having examined the patient , authorized the procedure to be preformed , is physically present in the dental facility and available when the procedure occurs and takes full professional responsibility for the completed procedure .
Following are the supervision requirements applying to these hygiene services :
Placement of sub gingival agents : Hygienists may provide
this service under direct supervision , but general supervision would apply if the dentist has review the patient ’ s records and medical history and has written a prescription or given an order for the placement of sub gingival agents .
Periodontal probing , scaling , root planning , polishing or another procedure required to remove calculus deposits , accretions , excess or flash restorative materials and stains from the exposed surfaces of the teeth and beneath the gingival :
Hygienists may provide these services under direct supervision when the patient is suffering from systemic disease which is severe , incapacitating or life threatening . General supervision would apply if the patient is free of systemic disease or suffers from mild systemic disease ( as determined by the dentist , with input from the hygienist ).
2024