Question

Of those duties listed below, which cannot be performed by the DA under the direct supervision of the Dentist?

1. placement and removal of rubber dam
2. removal of ligature wires
3. placement and ligation of archwires
4. removal of the post-extraction dressing
5. placement of bases and liners on sound dentin

Answer 1

Under direct supervision, a Dental Assistant (DA) typically cannot perform the placement and ligation of archwires because it requires specialized orthodontic training and expertise.

Step-by-step explanation:

Of the duties listed below, which cannot be performed by the Dental Assistant (DA) under the direct supervision of the Dentist?

1. Placement and removal of rubber dam
2. Removal of ligature wires
3. Placement and ligation of archwires
4. Removal of the post-extraction dressing
5. Placement of bases and liners on sound dentin

Depending on the region and local dental regulations, generally, the task that cannot be performed by a DA under direct supervision of a dentist is placement and ligation of archwires. This task is typically reserved for a dentist or orthodontist because it requires a higher level of expertise in orthodontic treatment planning and execution. Placement and ligation of archwires are considered to be part of the orthodontic therapy that modifies the arrangement of teeth, which is beyond the scope of duties delegated to dental assistants.