Under what type of supervision must a dental assistant work in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, a dental assistant must work under direct supervision. This means that a licensed dentist must be physically present in the office and available to provide guidance while the dental assistant performs their duties. Direct supervision ensures that patient safety and care quality are prioritized, as the dentist can monitor the assistant's work and intervene if necessary. This level of supervision helps maintain professional standards and ensures that dental assistants are supported while gaining experience and confidence in their roles.

In contrast to direct supervision, the other types of supervision have different requirements. Indirect supervision, for instance, may allow an assistant to perform tasks independently with a dentist's authorization but still requires the dentist to be in the office. General supervision allows greater independence for the assistant but does not require the dentist to be present in the office. No supervision required would imply that the dental assistant could work completely autonomously, which is not aligned with the regulatory framework in Oklahoma.