Final answer:
A dentist may not delegate the duty of administering nitrous oxide to a dental assistant, but they can delegate other tasks such as sterilizing instruments, providing oral hygiene instructions, and taking impressions for crowns.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dentist may not delegate the duty of administering nitrous oxide to a dental assistant. While dental assistants play a vital role in assisting dentists with various tasks, the administration of nitrous oxide is typically considered outside their scope of practice. This task requires specialized training and certification, which is usually obtained by dentists themselves.
On the other hand, dental assistants can perform other duties such as sterilizing instruments, providing oral hygiene instructions, and taking impressions for crowns. These tasks are commonly delegated to dental assistants and can help enhance the efficiency of the dental team.