What authority does the limited dental hygiene license confer?

The limited dental hygiene license in Washington State confers specific restrictions on certain procedures that a dental hygienist may perform. This type of license is designed for practitioners who have undergone training in a limited scope of practice, which is often in settings that serve specialized populations, such as schools or public health clinics.

Holding a limited dental hygiene license means that the practitioner is authorized to perform only certain tasks and must adhere to the guidelines set by the licensing board. This ensures that dental hygienists operate within their trained competencies and not beyond them, thereby prioritizing patient safety and the quality of care provided.

In contrast, other options imply broader scopes of practice that are not applicable under a limited dental hygiene license. For instance, the ability to practice independently or full access to all dental practices would require a general dental hygiene license, not a limited one. Similarly, conducting restorative work typically involves more advanced certifications and a full dental hygiene license, which the limited version does not provide.