A dental hygienist may administer local anesthesia under which type of supervision?

A dental hygienist may administer local anesthesia under general supervision. This means that a licensed dentist is not required to be on the premises or present during the administration of local anesthesia. Instead, the dental hygienist must have received appropriate training and be certified to perform this procedure. This level of supervision allows dental hygienists to provide care efficiently, especially in settings where immediate dentist supervision is not feasible.

In Florida, general supervision for dental hygienists is defined in the rules regulating the practice of dentistry, allowing licensed professionals to perform specific tasks independently as long as they adhere to the guidelines established by the Florida Board of Dentistry. This autonomy underscores the importance of the hygienist's training and competence in administering anesthesia safely and effectively.