What type of supervision is needed for a Dental Hygienist to record health histories?

In Washington State, dental hygienists are allowed to record health histories under general supervision. This type of supervision means that a licensed dentist does not need to be physically present in the dental office while the hygienist is performing these tasks. Instead, the dentist must provide initial authorization for the procedures and be available for consultation if necessary.

Recording health histories is a foundational component of patient assessment and care, enabling dental hygienists to gather essential data that informs treatment and preventive measures. Under general supervision, dental hygienists can collect this information as part of their duties without requiring direct observation or continuous oversight from a dentist.

The other options do not align with the regulations governing dental hygiene practices in Washington State. Close supervision would imply that the dentist must be on site to directly oversee tasks, which is not the case for recording health histories. Saying that no supervision is required would neglect the mandate for initial authorization. Independent practice implies that the hygienist operates completely without a supervising dentist, which is not applicable when performing standardized clinical tasks such as recording patient information. Hence, understanding the nuances of supervision types clarifies why general supervision is the correct choice here.