Who has the responsibility for removing calculus before dental hygienists perform polishing?

The responsibility for removing calculus before dental hygienists perform polishing primarily rests with the dentist or dental hygienist. This is because the removal of calculus, which consists of hardened plaque that can cause periodontal disease if left untreated, is a critical step in the dental hygiene process. Prior to polishing teeth, a hygienist must ensure that all deposits of calculus are thoroughly cleaned; otherwise, polishing can be ineffective or may even cause damage by pushing debris further into the gum line.

Typically, a dental hygienist is trained to remove calculus during a scaling process, which is often performed prior to polishing. In some cases, the dentist may conduct this procedure themselves, especially in complex cases. The necessity for removing calculus is part of the hygienist's assessment and treatment plan for each patient, ensuring a clean surface conducive to polishing.

Other options do not appropriately assign this responsibility. Patients are not equipped to remove calculus themselves, and while dental assistants may assist in some aspects of patient care, they are not usually trained or licensed to perform scaling. Lastly, while any licensed dental professional may have the skills necessary to perform the task, it is specifically the dentist or hygienist who is generally responsible for this process within a hygiene appointment setting.