Under what supervision can a Dental Hygienist perform root planing?

Under Washington State law, a dental hygienist can perform root planing under general supervision. General supervision means that a dentist does not need to be physically present in the facility when the dental hygienist provides treatment, but the hygienist must have a written or oral authorization from the dentist to perform specific procedures, including root planing. This level of supervision allows dental hygienists to work independently while still being accountable to the supervising dentist, which is essential for procedures involving scaling and root planing.

Root planing is an important procedure for the treatment of periodontal disease, and being allowed to perform it under general supervision acknowledges the dental hygienist's extensive training and expertise in this area. Understanding this supervision level is crucial for dental hygienists to navigate their scope of practice and provide effective care to their patients.