Under what condition can a dentist delegate tasks to a dental hygienist?

A dentist can delegate tasks to a dental hygienist when the dentist provides supervision and the tasks fall within the hygienist's scope of practice. This ensures patient safety and compliance with state regulations. In Minnesota, the scope of practice for dental hygienists is well-defined and includes tasks that can be performed independently under certain circumstances or under direct or indirect supervision of a dentist.

Providing supervision means that the dentist is responsible for the overall quality of care delivered and is available to guide and oversee tasks performed by the hygienist. This collaborative approach allows for efficient and effective patient care, aligning with both the hygienist's training and the legal requirements for practice within the state.

While the graduate status of the hygienist and their years of experience can be factors in their competence, they do not directly address the essential requirement of supervision by the dentist. Additionally, a written agreement, while potentially useful in a practice setting, is not a mandated prerequisite for task delegation in the context of dental practice regulations. The focus is primarily on the supervision aspect and the alignment with the licensed scope of practice for the hygienist.