What must a dental hygienist obtain before providing treatment?

A dental hygienist must obtain informed consent from the patient before providing treatment because informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in healthcare. This process ensures that the patient understands the proposed treatment, including the benefits, risks, and alternatives. The dental hygienist is responsible for ensuring that the patient has been given adequate information to make a knowledgeable decision regarding their care.

The practice of informed consent protects the rights of patients, allowing them to actively participate in their own healthcare decisions. It also helps to build trust between the patient and the dental hygienist. Without this consent, any treatment performed could be considered unauthorized and lead to legal consequences for the hygienist.

While obtaining a patient’s insurance information, a written agreement from a dentist, or the patient’s medical history are important aspects of the treatment process, they do not replace the necessity of informed consent. These other factors play supportive roles in patient management but do not carry the same legal weight as the patient's informed consent for the proposed treatments.