What must be true for a dental hygienist to perform a procedure under indirect supervision?

For a dental hygienist to perform a procedure under indirect supervision, authorization by the dentist is required. Indirect supervision means that the dentist is not required to be physically present in the treatment facility while the dental hygienist is performing the procedure. However, the dentist must have provided a specific authorization for the hygienist to proceed with various treatments or services on a patient. This ensures that the hygienist works within the scope of practice defined by the dentist and maintains clear lines of communication and responsibility.

In this context, while completing a patient treatment plan, confirming appointments, or requiring direct follow-up consultations can be important for various operational aspects of a dental practice, they do not specifically address the supervisory relationship necessary for the hygienist to perform procedures independently under indirect supervision. Therefore, having dentist authorization stands out as the primary requirement in this scenario.