Question

What is the definition of general supervision in dentistry?

1) Supervision by the licensed dentist, who must be present in the office at the time the function is performed
2) Supervision by the licensed dentist, who is not required to be present in the office at the time the function is performed
3) Supervision by a dental hygienist, who must be present in the office at the time the function is performed
4) Supervision by a dental hygienist, who is not required to be present in the office at the time the function is performed

Answer 1

General supervision in dentistry means that a licensed dentist does not have to be physically present in the office when certain delegated tasks are performed, but they still provide oversight and remain available for consultation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The definition of general supervision in dentistry refers to the level of oversight required by a licensed dentist over dental procedures performed by other licensed or certified dental professionals, such as dental hygienists or dental assistants. General supervision means that the licensed dentist does not need to be physically present in the dental office when certain delegated procedures are performed. This is captured by option 2: Supervision by the licensed dentist, who is not required to be present in the office at the time the function is performed. Under general supervision, the dentist must authorize the procedures and remain available for consultation either in person or via communication devices, but their physical presence in the dental office is not a requirement while the procedure is being carried out.