Under direct supervision, which of the following tasks is a dental assistant NOT allowed to perform?

The task of applying aerosol topical anesthetics involves the administration of medications to patients, which falls under the practice of dentistry. In California, dental assistants can perform various tasks under direct supervision, but certain procedures require a higher level of training and licensing, particularly those involving the application of medications or substances that may alter a patient's physiological state.

While dental assistants are permitted to perform supportive tasks such as removing sutures, placing and removing rubber dams, and curing restorative materials with a light curing device—all of which are considered supportive functions under direct supervision—applying aerosol topicals requires specific training to ensure safety and compliance with legal standards. This is critical to protect patient safety and ensure that the dental assistant operates within their scope of practice. Therefore, the correct task that a dental assistant is not allowed to perform under direct supervision is applying aerosol topical anesthetics.