---
title: "What Is Delegation? Dental Practice Glossary | Copeland Consulting Services"
description: "Assigning tasks to team members who are trained and legally allowed to do them, with the dentist remaining responsible for the care."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/delegation
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Team and HR

# Delegation

Assigning tasks to team members who are trained and legally allowed to do them, with the dentist remaining responsible for the care.

Delegation means giving a task to another person. In a dental practice it covers clinical and office tasks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that assistants who perform lab tasks, such as taking impressions of a patient's teeth, work under the direction of a dentist.

What may be delegated depends on state law. Missouri's dental practice act defines a dental assistant as a person who provides patient services in cooperation with and under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. Rules differ for hygienists and for an [expanded function dental assistant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/expanded-function-dental-assistant).

Delegation sits inside [scope of practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/scope-of-practice) limits. The same word also names a management skill that helps a [dental team](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-team) share work. This entry is a general definition only.

[Next stepPractice consulting with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting)

## Related terms

-   [Scope of practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/scope-of-practice)
-   [Dental team](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-team)
-   [Expanded function dental assistant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/expanded-function-dental-assistant)
-   [Dental assistant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-assistant)

## Sources

1.  [BLS, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Assistants](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm)
2.  [Missouri Revisor of Statutes, Section 332.093 RSMo](https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=332.093&bid=17660)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)