For a Dental Hygienist, which of the following procedures is expressly allowed?

For a Dental Hygienist, which of the following procedures is expressly allowed?

• A. Taking impressions for orthodontic adjustments
• B. Applying antibiotic agents intravenously
• C. Administering anesthetics via injection
• D. Coronal polishing without any training

Answer: (A)

Understanding what dental hygienists are expressly allowed to do helps distinguish permissible from prohibited tasks. In North Carolina, taking impressions for orthodontic adjustments is within the range of duties that a licensed hygienist can perform when the dentist directs the care. This is a noninvasive procedure that supports treatment planning and appliance fabrication without crossing into invasive or medication-related acts. By contrast, administering anesthetics via injection and giving antibiotic agents intravenously involve medications and techniques that require higher-level authorization (such as a dentist’s or physician’s credentials). Coronal polishing is a routine hygienist task, but it must be performed with proper training; doing it without any training would not be permissible.

Understanding what dental hygienists are expressly allowed to do helps distinguish permissible from prohibited tasks. In North Carolina, taking impressions for orthodontic adjustments is within the range of duties that a licensed hygienist can perform when the dentist directs the care. This is a noninvasive procedure that supports treatment planning and appliance fabrication without crossing into invasive or medication-related acts.

By contrast, administering anesthetics via injection and giving antibiotic agents intravenously involve medications and techniques that require higher-level authorization (such as a dentist’s or physician’s credentials). Coronal polishing is a routine hygienist task, but it must be performed with proper training; doing it without any training would not be permissible.