For making impressions for study casts, which is a requirement?

Making impressions for study casts is primarily a foundational aspect of dental hygiene practice, which serves various purposes such as treatment planning and patient education. The requirement states that impressions should not be taken for restorations or appliances as this falls outside the dental hygienist’s permissible scope of practice in Florida. The main function of study casts is to create a three-dimensional physical model of a patient's arch for diagnostic and planning purposes, rather than directly aiding in the fabrication of clinical devices like restorations or intra-oral appliances.

This requirement ensures that dental hygienists remain within their defined scope of practice, focusing on preventive care and education rather than restorative processes or appliance fabrication, which require different expertise and licensing. Therefore, the focus on study casts being appropriate only for diagnostic purposes helps align with best practices in dental hygiene and promotes patient safety.