What does offsite supervision mean in the context of dental hygiene?

In the context of dental hygiene, offsite supervision refers to a regulatory framework wherein a dental hygienist can perform their practice under the oversight of a dentist who is not physically present in the same location. This requires a written practice plan between the dentist and the hygienist, delineating the scope of work and any pertinent protocols. This written plan is essential as it provides guidelines for patient care and establishes the standards expected from the dental hygienist when working under offsite supervision.

This structure is beneficial as it allows for flexibility in practice while ensuring that there is a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities involved, thus maintaining a level of quality and safety in patient care. It stands in contrast to direct supervision, where the dentist must be present in the same location while treatment is being administrated.

The other options do not accurately reflect the meaning of offsite supervision. For instance, direct supervision would require the dentist to be present at all times, which is not the case for offsite supervision. Practices in another state involve separate regulations and do not pertain specifically to the definition of offsite supervision within the same practice location. Lastly, while a dental hygienist may have a degree of independence under certain conditions, they cannot operate completely independently when offsite supervision is