Which task does NOT require direct supervision?

Making impressions for non-restorative purposes is a task that does not require direct supervision because it is considered a procedure within the dental hygiene scope that can be performed independently by a licensed dental hygienist. Non-restorative impressions are typically used for creating study models or for use in orthodontic treatments, which can be carried out without the immediate presence of a dentist.

In the context of dental practice, direct supervision implies that a licensed dentist must be present in the office and have authorized the procedure. In contrast, tasks such as applying whitening agents with a monitor, inserting or removing rubber dams, and removing and re-cementing bands involve aspects that typically necessitate a dentist’s direct oversight, either because they require clinical judgments or can lead to patient changes that need immediate professional attention. Thus, non-restorative impressions stand out as a procedure that dentists allow hygienists to perform independently, thereby fitting the criteria for not needing direct supervision.