Does general supervision only apply to patients of record?

General supervision in the context of dental hygiene refers to the level of oversight a dentist has over the procedures performed by a dental hygienist. When it comes to the care of patients in a dental practice, general supervision typically indicates that the dentist does not need to be physically present in the facility while the hygienist carries out procedures but should have examined the patient previously.

The statement that general supervision only applies to patients of record is accurate because it pertains to the established relationship between the dentist and the patient. A patient of record is one who has been evaluated by the dentist, who then provides the hygienist with the authority to perform certain procedures under general supervision. This ensures continuity of care and accountability in the treatment process.

Procedures performed on new patients or patients not evaluated by the dentist may require a different level of supervision, which could include direct supervision. Thus, general supervision being limited to patients of record is consistent with the regulations that govern dental hygiene practice, ensuring that the necessary patient-dentist relationship exists for appropriate care to be provided.