Dental Jurisprudence Practice Exam

The correct answer to the question of who can dry root canals with paper points is that a dental hygienist has the training and skills to perform this specific task under the supervision of a dentist. Dental hygienists are licensed professionals who have a comprehensive understanding of various dental procedures, including endodontics, which refers to the treatment of tooth pulp and root canals.

Drying root canals is an important step during endodontic treatment, as it prepares the canal for filling. Paper points are used to absorb moisture from the canal following cleaning and shaping. Since dental hygienists work closely with dentists and often assist in endodontic procedures, they are qualified to perform this task within the legal and clinical guidelines of their practice.

Other professionals, such as licensed dental assistants, endodontists, and prosthodontists, have different scopes of practice. A licensed dental assistant may assist in various procedures, but their capacity to perform specific tasks like drying root canals with paper points may be limited based on state laws. An endodontist, while being a specialist in root canals, would typically not be the one to perform this task directly, as they often delegate such duties to assistants or hygienists. Prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing teeth, rather than performing