Under Direct Access Supervision, hygienists are considered to be what?

Under Direct Access Supervision, hygienists are considered to be autonomous in their professional practice. This means that they have greater independence in the delivery of dental hygiene services. Autonomous practice allows hygienists to assess patients and provide preventive care without the requirement of a prior examination by a dentist or the need for constant oversight during the treatment process. This expanded scope empowers dental hygienists to make clinical decisions based on their professional judgment, which can enhance patient access to care.

In this context, autonomy denotes the ability to operate independently while still adhering to the ethical and professional standards of dental hygiene practice. This supervision model recognizes the training and expertise of hygienists, allowing them more latitude to engage with patients and manage care effectively.