Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

Under which type of supervision does the dentist not need to be physically present?

1. Direct supervision

2. General supervision

3. Extended supervision

4. Indirect supervision

The correct answer is: General supervision

Under general supervision, the dentist does not need to be physically present in the office while the dental assistant performs specific tasks. This type of supervision allows dental hygiene and assisting procedures to be carried out based on the dentist’s diagnosis and treatment plan, which may have been conveyed to the assistant previously. This flexibility is crucial for ensuring patient care continuity, allowing dental assistants to manage certain tasks independently within their scope of practice, while still operating under the overarching authority and guidelines set forth by the supervising dentist. In contrast, direct supervision requires the dentist to be present in the office while the procedures are being carried out. Extended supervision and indirect supervision involve different levels of oversight, but, like direct supervision, they necessitate some form of dentist presence or immediate availability in a more involved manner.