Can dental assistants in Nevada perform procedures independently?

In Nevada, dental assistants are required to work under the supervision of a licensed dentist. This means that they cannot perform procedures independently; instead, they must operate as part of a dental team and always have a licensed dentist overseeing their activities. The requirement for supervision ensures that all dental procedures meet the necessary standards of care and that patients are protected by having a qualified professional in charge of their treatment.

The role of the dental assistant is to support the dentist by performing tasks that do not require independent judgment or advanced skills that only a licensed practitioner possesses. This regulation is in place to maintain a high standard of practice within the dental field, ensuring patient safety and quality of care.

Other choices suggest levels of independence for dental assistants which do not align with the regulatory framework in Nevada. For example, while some procedures may seem simple, any form of patient care or procedure execution must always be supervised by a qualified dentist to adhere to state dentistry laws.