What procedure is part of the Level 1 expanded function for a dental hygienist?

Monitoring nitrous oxide patient levels is part of the Level 1 expanded functions for a dental hygienist because it falls within the scope of practice that allows dental hygienists to assist in managing patient comfort during procedures that require sedation. This function is critical as it ensures the safety and efficacy of the sedation process, allowing the dental hygienist to contribute to patient care effectively in a collaborative environment with dentists.

Intraoral adjustments of dentures, on the other hand, typically require more advanced training and are not included in the Level 1 expanded functions for dental hygienists in Iowa. Surgical extractions, which involve complex surgical skills, are performed by dentists or oral surgeons, thus falling outside the hygienist's practice scope. Administering local anesthesia is generally considered a higher-level function, requiring specific training and certification that is not part of the basic Level 1 functions. Thus, monitoring nitrous oxide levels represents a supportive and essential role of dental hygienists in the clinical setting.