role of dental assistants

8/4/2019 Role of Dental Assistants

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Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory

duties.

They make patients comfortable in the dental chair and prepare them for

treatment.

During dental procedures, assistants work alongside the dentist to provide

assistance.

They hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients'

mouths dry and clear by using suction hoses or other devices.

They also instruct patients on postoperative and general oral healthcare. Dental assistants may prepare materials for impressions and restorations,

and process dental x rays as directed by a dentist


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They also may remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-

preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process,

and place dental dams to isolate teeth for treatment.

They sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare and lay out the

instruments and materials required to treat each patient, and obtain and update

patients' dental records.

Dental assistants with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from

impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporarycrowns.

Those with office duties schedule and confirm appointments, receive patients,

keep treatment records, send bills, receive payments, and order dental supplies

and materials.

Dental assistants must work closely with, and under the supervision of, dentists.

Dental assistants must work closely with, and under the supervision of, dentists.

dental assistants should not be confused with dental hygienists, who are licensed

to perform a different set of clinical tasks.


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Dental assistants work in a well-

lighted, clean environment. Their

work area is usually near the dental

chair so that they can arrange

instruments, materials, and

medication and hand them to the

dentist when needed.

They must wear gloves, masks,

eyewear, and protective clothing toprotect themselves and their

patients from infectious diseases.


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A routine must be established in the proper securing of

the spaces.

The following was used at the U.S. Naval training

Center, Farragut, Idaho and is offered as a skeleton

plan from which the reader may develop his own

procedure.


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A.) DENTAL CHAIR B.) DENTAL UNIT

Clean and polish the

upholstered parts, including

crevices

Put on clean headrest covers

Bring the chair to lowest and

basic position

Clean and polish with non

abrasive material.

The waste trap in cuspid or

should be empty and clean.

The illuminator, hand instruments, handpiece, waste

receptacle, sterilizers, etc., all must be cleaned and

readied for the next day.


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ROOM IN GENERAL

Clean towels, guaze and cotton rolls should be ready for thenext day,

Shades are lowered to a point halfway between the top andbutton of windows

Put off the heat the heat radiators, electric fans, and air conditioner.

Doors and windows should be locked.


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The Dental Clinic, Dental X-ray and cabinet must be

cleaned.

All electric gas, adequate switches must be off.

Keys to all equipment to be in proper places.Towels and tissue paper for the hand, the face, etc.

should be ready for the next day.

Room in General


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Furniture and fixtures should be cleaned and polish.

Drinking fountain should be clean.

Typewriter should be covered after use.

The time of the clock must be set.

Ashtrays should be emptied and cleaned.

Keep lavatories clean.

soap receptacles must be cleaned and have new soap ready

for the next day.

Reception Room and Appointment Desk


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Put off the burn- furnaces, water baths, vacular, boil out tanks, lathes and

dental engine.

Put off and polish the lathe blowers.

Close the air and gas valves

Check and fill the plastic artificial stone and investment bin.

Clean the boil-out tank and remove the wax residue

Clean and store the crucible rings and flask

Tools, mounted stones and other small gadgets should be cleaned and returned

to instruments drawer.

Release tension on casting machine

Eliminates waxes from casting ovens

Prosthetic Laboratory


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Assistant should set up emergency kit or cabinet. The

drugs, indication, adult dosage, and routes of

administration.

Emergency Measures

role of dental assistants

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