What type of supervision is required for dental hygienists when removing excess cement from dental restorations?

In Florida, the supervision required for dental hygienists when performing certain procedures, including the removal of excess cement from dental restorations, is classified as general supervision. This means that the dentist must authorize the procedure before it is conducted, but does not need to be present in the dental facility at the time the procedure is performed.

General supervision allows dental hygienists to perform certain tasks independently, as long as they are operating within the framework established by the dentist's prior authorization. This is crucial in maintaining a balance between professional independence for dental hygienists and the oversight necessary to ensure patient safety and the quality of care.

Direct supervision, on the other hand, requires the dentist to be physically present during the procedure, which is not the case for the removal of excess cement. Self-supervision or independent practice would imply that the dental hygienist can operate entirely without oversight, which is not aligned with Florida's regulations, especially for tasks that involve managing dental restorations. Thus, general supervision is the appropriate category that grants dental hygienists the authority to perform this specific task with the requisite level of oversight.