What is it called when dental hygienists are also known as consultants, freelancers, self-employed, entrepreneurs, and business owners who work for themselves?

What is it called when dental hygienists are also known as consultants, freelancers, self-employed, entrepreneurs, and business owners who work for themselves?

• A. Independent contractors
• B. Employees
• C. Partners
• D. Trainees

Answer: (A)

Independent contractors are workers who operate as their own business, providing services to clients under contract rather than as employees of a single employer. In dental hygiene, a hygienist who acts as a consultant, freelancer, self-employed professional, entrepreneur, or business owner typically fits this role. They set their own schedules and fees, bill clients or clinics directly, and handle their own business expenses and marketing. They’re responsible for self-employment taxes and usually don’t receive employer-provided benefits. This is why the term fits best. An employee would be on payroll with taxes withheld by the employer and benefits provided, a partner shares ownership in a business, and a trainee is someone still learning and not yet self-employed.

Independent contractors are workers who operate as their own business, providing services to clients under contract rather than as employees of a single employer. In dental hygiene, a hygienist who acts as a consultant, freelancer, self-employed professional, entrepreneur, or business owner typically fits this role. They set their own schedules and fees, bill clients or clinics directly, and handle their own business expenses and marketing. They’re responsible for self-employment taxes and usually don’t receive employer-provided benefits.

This is why the term fits best. An employee would be on payroll with taxes withheld by the employer and benefits provided, a partner shares ownership in a business, and a trainee is someone still learning and not yet self-employed.