How many hygienist members serve on the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry?

• A. One
• B. Zero
• C. Two
• D. Three

Answer: (A)

The board includes representation from the dental hygiene profession by design, and there is exactly one licensed dental hygienist serving as a voting member. This single hygienist member brings firsthand insight into hygiene practice, licensure criteria, and regulation of dental hygienists, ensuring their perspective is considered in policy and disciplinary decisions alongside dentists who make up the majority of the board. Zero hygienist members would leave hygiene concerns without direct input, while more than one would disproportionately tilt representation away from the dentist majority; the structure uses one to balance expertise while maintaining overall board function.