What is the primary role of the dentist in a dental hygiene practice setting?

The primary role of the dentist in a dental hygiene practice setting primarily revolves around overseeing treatment and ensuring compliance. This involves supervising dental hygienists and other dental staff, making sure that all dental procedures adhere to the established guidelines and best practices. The dentist holds ultimate responsibility for patient care and treatment outcomes, which includes verifying that treatment plans are appropriately executed and that hygiene practices meet state and federal regulations.

In addition, the dentist is responsible for making clinical decisions about patient care, diagnosing conditions, and determining when additional treatment is necessary beyond what dental hygienists are authorized to perform. This oversight is crucial in maintaining quality patient care and safety, as well as ensuring that the services provided by the dental hygiene team are effective and conform to ethical standards.

While the management of the dental office, performing all procedures alone, or handling all patient communications are important duties that may be part of a dental practice, none of these encompass the core responsibility of the dentist, which is to ensure comprehensive oversight and quality assurance in the treatment and care provided within the practice.