11. Dental Operating Positions Flashcards
OBJECTIVES OF PROPER POSITIONING OF DENTAL TEAM (4)
1) Access to operative field
(2) Visibility of the operative field
(3) Comfort for the dental team and patient
(4) Safety of the patient
stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon
Strain
transient inability of a muscle to maintain optimal physical performance and is made more severe by intense physical exercise
Fatigue
if patient is properly positioned during treatment:
→ less nervous tension
→ less muscular tension
→ more capable of cooperating with the dentist
POSITION OF THE PATIENT
(ADVANTAGES)
FACTORS THAT AFFECT POSITION OF THE PATIENT
→ area of mouth to be treated
→ type of procedure to be performed
initial position of the patient when seated
UPRIGHT POSITION/RECLINED 45 DEGREES
used when taking impressions of the patients
UPRIGHT POSITION/RECLINED 45 DEGREES
usual position of the patient being treated
SUPINE POSITION/FULLY RECLINED
the feet and the head are on a level position
SUPINE POSITION/FULLY RECLINED
feet are not higher than the head
SUPINE POSITION/FULLY RECLINED
→ emergency position
o used when patient feels like fainting or is dizzy
o patient is positioned so feet is higher than the head,
allowing a rush of blood
SUBSUPINE POSITION/TRENDELENBERD
when working on the maxilla, patient is tilted back with maxilla ______ to the floor
perpendicular
when working on the mandible, the mandible is ____degrees or ___ to the floor
45, parallel
patient’s mouth should be at the _____ level or slightly higher
elbow’s
in a fully reclined position, patient’s ankle and chin are at the _____
same level
based on ergonomics, the science of designing and arranging things people use so that the people who use them can work more efficiently and comfortably
POSITION OF THE DENTAL team
WMSD means
work-related musculoskeletal disorders
GUIDELINES FOR PROPER POSITIONING OF SEATED OPERATOR (8)
(1) Unstrained position with upright back
(2) Feet should be flat on the floor and thighs slightly lower
than the hip level or obtuse to the floor
(3) Lower legs are perpendicular to the floor
(4) Shoulder should be parallel to the floor
(5) Elbows are close to the sides with relaxed shoulders and
arms slightly bent
(6) Head facing forward with neck slightly bent and eyes
focused downwards
(7) Maintain distance from the patient
(8) Maintain optimal eye-to-work distance
BEST POSITION
→ leg-balanced position
→ allows forward and upward postures to transfer some of the
body’s support to the feet
assistant is seated on the ____ side of the dentist
opposite
GUIDELINES FOR PROPER POSITIONING OF DENTAL ASSISTANT
Seated with back straight, ______inches higher than the operator
4-5
GUIDELINES FOR PROPER POSITIONING OF DENTAL ASSISTANT
(1) Seated with back straight, 4-5 inches higher than the operator
(2) Assistant’s feet are placed on the platform near the base of the stool
(3) Assistant’s body should face the patient’s head with hips and thighs level to the floor and parallel to the patient’s shoulder
→ identifies the working positions of the dental team
→ based on the clock concept
DENTAL OPERATING ZONES
FOUR ZONES OF OPERATION
Static Zone
Assistant’s Zone
Transfer Zone
Operator’s Zone
right behind the patient
Static Zone
where dental assistant is positioned during work
Assistant’s Zone
front of the patient where instruments or materials are being passed between the assistant and the dentist
Transfer Zone
where the dentist is positioned
Operator’s Zone
→ 12 o’ clock position
DIRECT REAR POSITION
lingual of mandibular anterior teeth
DIRECT REAR POSITION
VIEWING THE OPERATIVE FIELD
methods include:
o direct vision
o indirect vision
10 or 11 o’ clock position
right rear position
universal operating position
RIGHT REAR POSITION
provides access to all areas except:
o distal areas of right mandibular quadrant
o cervical areas of right posterior quadrant
RIGHT REAR POSITION
9 o’ clock position
DIRECT RIGHT POSITION
occlusal of mandibular right posterior teeth
DIRECT RIGHT POSITION
buccal of maxillary and mandibular right posterior teeth
DIRECT RIGHT POSITION
7 or 8 o’ clock position
RIGHT FRONT POSITION
alternate position for mandibular right posterior quadrant teeth
RIGHT FRONT POSITION
INSTRUMENT GRASPS
the manner of holding the instrument
includes: (5)
o standard pen grasp
o modified pen grasp
o inverted pen grasp
o palm and thumb grasp
o modified palm and thumb grasp
to stabilize the hand & instrument by providing a firm fulcrum as movements are made to activate the instrument
RESTS
conventional finger rest
Intraoral Finger Rests
cross arch rest
Intraoral Finger Rests
opposite arch rest
Intraoral Finger Rests
finger-on-finger rest
Intraoral Finger Rests
indirect rest (finger reinforced rest)
Extraoral Finger Rests
→ palms up
→ palms down
Extraoral Finger Rests
rests can be:
(3)
o no rest
o 1 finger rest
o 2 fingers rest
Modified & Inverted Pen Grasps
finger rest
Palm & Thumb Grasps
tip of thumb
