What procedure does a dental hygienist perform when attaching prefit and preadjusted orthodontic appliances?

The correct answer is that direct supervision is required for a dental hygienist when attaching prefit and preadjusted orthodontic appliances. This means that a licensed dentist must be present in the facility during the procedure and must oversee the hygienist’s work.

Direct supervision ensures that the dental hygienist has immediate access to guidance and support from a supervising dentist, which is crucial in orthodontic procedures. Orthodontic appliances, even though they are prefabricated and preadjusted, require careful handling and proper placement to ensure they function effectively and do not cause harm to the patient’s oral health. With direct supervision, the supervising dentist can provide real-time instruction and address any complications that may arise during the process.

In other contexts such as indirect supervision, a dentist may not be physically present, and this model would not adequately ensure the patient’s safety and the correct application of the appliance. Independent procedures, where a dental hygienist operates without any supervision, would also not apply here as the complexities involved and potential risks necessitate a dentist's involvement. Simply assisting with placement would limit the hygienist’s role to a supportive function, contrary to the more involved procedure of direct supervision.