What illegal practices can the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry investigate?

• A. Cosmetic bleaching performed by a hygienist is illegal.
• B. X-rays and debridement performed by a hygienist without dentist supervision.
• C. Expanded duty dental assistants operating under general supervision.
• D. Complaints such as a hygienist performing cosmetic bleaching, x-rays and debridement before a dentist's examination, and expanded duty dental assistants working under general supervision.

Answer: (D)

The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry has authority to enforce the dental practice act by investigating acts that fall outside the permitted scope or supervision rules. The situations described—in which a hygienist performs cosmetic bleaching, takes X-rays and performs debridement without a dentist’s examination or supervision, and expanded duty dental assistants work under general supervision—illustrate violations of who may perform specific procedures and under what supervision. Because the board can discipline for practicing outside allowed duties or without proper supervision, all of these scenarios are within its investigative purview. That makes the option listing all of these illegal practices the best answer, since it reflects the broad range of conduct the board can investigate.