What is required for placing or removing matrices by a dental hygienist?

Placing or removing matrices by a dental hygienist is a task that requires formal training and indirect supervision. This is because placing matrices involves critical skills that are essential for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of dental procedures. Training provides the dental hygienist with the knowledge of how to correctly place matrices to create a proper mold for restorative materials, ensuring that they can perform the task without causing harm to the patient.

Indirect supervision indicates that the dentist must be available to provide guidance but does not necessarily have to be present in the operatory at the moment the hygienist is performing the procedure. This level of supervision allows dental hygienists to work efficiently while still ensuring that there is oversight to address any potential issues that may arise during the procedure.

In contrast, other options suggest levels of supervision or training that do not align with the regulatory requirements for dental hygiene practice. Direct supervision requires the dentist to be physically present, which would not provide the flexibility allowed under indirect supervision. Stating that no training is needed or that any level of supervision is sufficient undermines the importance of specialized knowledge and skill in performing dental procedures safely and effectively. Such assertions do not reflect the realities of dental hygiene practice standards set forth in Florida law and the best practices needed for patient care.