Self-regulation in dental hygiene practice means the dental hygienists...

• A. Oversee the practice themselves and work with the government for licensing and other issues related to dental hygiene practice
• B. Rely on dentists to handle all licensing matters
• C. Have no regulation
• D. Are licensed by the patients

Answer: (A)

Self-regulation means the profession governs its own standards and practice, while the state provides oversight to protect the public. In dental hygiene, practitioners help establish and enforce practice standards, codes of ethics, and continuing education requirements through professional bodies, while licensing and other regulatory actions are handled in collaboration with a government agency or state board. This arrangement ensures practitioners maintain professional accountability and public protection, with the government retaining ultimate authority over licensure and enforcement.

The idea here is that self-regulation does not mean dentists or patients grant licenses or that there is no regulation; licensing is still a government function, and patients do not license professionals.