In self-regulation, who maintains oversight of the practice?

• A. The dental hygienists themselves
• B. The government
• C. The patients
• D. A private company

Answer: (A)

Self-regulation means the profession itself is responsible for setting and enforcing standards of practice, ethics, and ongoing competency. In this view, dental hygienists take the lead in overseeing how the practice is carried out, through peer review, codes of ethics, continuing education requirements, and discipline when needed. That’s why the best choice is the dental hygienists themselves—they maintain oversight through professional standards and internal mechanisms.

External options aren’t the focus of self-regulation: government oversight comes from state or public regulators, patients aren’t responsible for policing professional standards, and a private company regulates only its own employees, not the profession as a whole.