What is the primary legislative framework governing dental hygiene in North Carolina?

The primary legislative framework governing dental hygiene in North Carolina is indeed the Dental Hygiene Practice Act. This Act establishes the legal guidelines, regulations, and standards specifically for the practice of dental hygiene within the state. It outlines the scope of practice, educational requirements, licensing procedures, and the responsibilities of dental hygienists, ensuring that they operate within a regulated and safe framework in the provision of oral health care. This legal structure helps to protect public health and welfare by setting forth educational qualifications, competencies, and ethical standards that practitioners must adhere to in their professional practice.

The other options, while they may relate to aspects of health care or dental practice in some way, do not specifically address the comprehensive regulatory framework that governs the practice of dental hygiene in North Carolina.