Under what circumstances can a dental hygienist initially licensed perform soft tissue curettage?

The ability for a dental hygienist to perform soft tissue curettage with a temporary endorsement reflects the regulations set by the Washington State dental hygiene practice. A temporary endorsement may allow licensed dental hygienists to perform specific advanced duties under certain conditions while they complete additional training or meet other requirements for full licensure.

This approach is intended to ensure that dental hygienists can practice essential skills like soft tissue curettage, which is a therapeutic procedure aimed at the management of periodontal diseases, even if they are still in the process of achieving the full licensure necessary to perform all duties independently.

In contrast, performing this procedure solely under a full license would limit the opportunity for newly licensed hygienists to develop their skills and gain experience in various clinical settings. Supervision requirements and limitations on practice environments are generally in place to maintain safety and provide mentorship, but these do not directly address the enabling factors identified by the temporary endorsement provision. Therefore, the correct understanding supports the combination of temporary licensure and specific procedural capabilities.