In which type of supervision is the dentist not required to be physically present during a procedure?

The correct answer is general supervision. Under general supervision, dental hygienists or dental assistants can perform certain procedures without the dentist being physically present in the office. Instead, the dentist has prescribed the procedures that can be carried out, allowing trained staff to conduct them independently within the scope of their training and state regulations.

This level of supervision is important for efficiency and allows dental practices to operate smoothly when the dentist is managing multiple aspects of care or attending to other patients. It supports the delegation of tasks to qualified personnel, enabling them to utilize their training effectively while maintaining patient care standards.