A dental hygienist may polish clinical crowns with what level of supervision?

A dental hygienist in Florida is permitted to polish clinical crowns under general supervision. This means that the dental hygienist can perform this procedure without the direct, on-site presence of a dentist, provided that the procedure has been authorized by the dentist in the overall treatment plan. General supervision allows the hygienist to perform specific tasks as long as they are within the scope of practice defined by the state laws and have been previously established by a dentist.

This is significant because it enables dental hygienists to contribute to patient care more flexibly, improving patient workflow and efficiency within the dental practice. In contrast, direct supervision would require a dentist to be physically present during the procedure, which is not necessary for polishing crowns. Indirect supervision, although close, still involves the dentist’s oversight that can be restrictive in certain practices. The option of no supervision is not applicable here as it would imply standalone practice without any dentist involvement, which is not permitted for dental hygienists in Florida.