Minnesota Dental Jurisprudence Practice Exam

A licensed dental therapist must perform which of the following duties under indirect supervision within the parameters of their collaborative management agreement?

1. Place dental restorations

2. Brush biopsy

3. Extract teeth

4. Administer nitrous oxide

The correct answer is: Brush biopsy

A licensed dental therapist is allowed to perform specific duties under the supervision outlined in their collaborative management agreement. In this context, brushing biopsy is the correct choice because it is a procedure commonly performed by dental professionals, including dental therapists, within the framework of indirect supervision. Indirect supervision means that the supervising dentist is not required to be physically present in the room but must be available for consultation and guidance. Brush biopsy can be a critical part of the diagnostic process for oral lesions, and dental therapists are trained to carry out this task effectively when working with a dentist. On the other hand, placing dental restorations, extracting teeth, and administering nitrous oxide typically fall under more direct forms of supervision or require explicit instructions from the supervising dentist during the procedure. Such tasks usually involve greater complexity or potential risk, thus necessitating a level of oversight that is more involved than what indirect supervision allows.