Final answer:
A dental hygienist typically removes plaque, calculus, and stains on a patient's teeth, which is a key part in maintaining oral health. Their role focuses on preventative care and may involve other tasks, but treatment planning is the dentist's responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Typical Tasks of a Dental Hygienist
Among the tasks listed, the one that is a typical task of a dental hygienist is D) Remove plaque, calculus, and stains on a patient's teeth. Dental hygienists are primarily responsible for cleaning patients' teeth, which involves removing plaque, tartar (calculus), and stains. This is a part of preventative dental care aimed at maintaining oral health and preventing the development of dental problems. They may also perform additional tasks such as taking dental x-rays and providing patient education on proper oral hygiene practices.
While dental hygienists can certainly greet patients and update histories (C), this is often a task shared with office staff or dental assistants. Setting up instrument trays (A) is usually a role that both dental assistants and hygienists might share. Formulating a treatment plan (B) is typically the dentist's responsibility, as they are charged with diagnosing and planning treatments for dental conditions.