Can a dental hygienist advertise independently?

• A. No
• B. Yes
• C. Only with board approval
• D. Only if supervised by dentist

Answer: (A)

In Louisiana, dental hygienists provide care under direct supervision of a licensed dentist, and the dentist is responsible for the acts of the hygienist. Advertising as an independent practitioner would imply offering services without that supervising dentist, which isn’t allowed. Any promotional material must clearly reflect that the hygienist works within a dentist’s practice and under the dentist’s supervision, so it cannot mislead patients into thinking the hygienist operates independently. Therefore, dental hygienists cannot advertise independently.