Which supervision level applies when a registered dental assistant performs extraoral duties under the dentist's direction?

• A. Direct
• B. General
• C. Personal
• D. Indirect

Answer: (B)

General supervision governs when the dentist has directed and authorized the procedure but the dentist does not need to be physically present in the operatory for the task to be carried out. When an RDA performs extraoral duties under the dentist’s direction, the dentist has diagnosed or planned the work and remains available for consultation, while the actual work is performed outside the patient’s mouth with the RDA carrying out the task.

Direct supervision would require the dentist to be in the room with the patient during the procedure, which isn’t implied here. Indirect supervision means the dentist is available but not on the premises, which is a tighter requirement than the scenario describes. Personal supervision isn’t the standard term used for this context in Iowa practice.