Final answer:
Dental hygienists specialize in preventive oral care and cannot perform all the duties of a dental assistant, as the two roles have distinct responsibilities and training requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The direct answer would be, false: Dental hygienists and dental assistants (DA) have different roles and responsibilities within a dental office, and hygienists cannot perform all the duties of a dental assistant.
Generally, dental hygienists focus on preventive oral health care, including cleaning teeth, examining patients for signs of oral diseases, and providing other preventive dental care. Meanwhile, dental assistants often have duties that can include assisting the dentist during procedures, preparing the treatment room and equipment, and handling administrative tasks. While there is some overlap in tasks, each role requires specific training, and the scope of practice for each position is defined by legal and professional standards that vary by region. Therefore, they cannot be considered interchangeable in their roles or duties.