Chairside Assistance

Question 1

Where should the dental nurse be positioned

Answer 1

Their thigh adjacent to the shoulder of the patient and be angled inwards

Question 2

How much higher should the dental nurse be than the operator

Answer 2

2-4 inches higher

Question 3

Why should the dental nurse be seated higher than the dentist

Answer 3

It enables them to see over the head of the operator into the oral cavity

Question 4

What hand do you use to pass imstruments

Answer 4

Left (if you are right handed)

Question 5

Where should you pass -materials across

Answer 5

The transfer zone

Question 6

What is the transfer zone

Answer 6

Across patient’s chest, beneath their chin

Question 7

Why is it important to pass materials over the transfer zone

Answer 7

The patient will not be aware of the instruments required for the procedure and will therefore reduce anxiety

Question 8

Who gains access to the oral cavity first

Answer 8

The nurse

This creates space by retracting the soft tissues for the operator

Question 9

Where should an aspiration be held

Answer 9

Firmly where the tip joins the suction tubing

Question 10

How do you insert the 3 in 1 tip

Answer 10

Unscrew the silver nut slightly and insert the tip firmly and then tighten the nut securely

Question 11

Why should you always try the 3 in 1 syringe outside the patients mouth first

Answer 11

To ensure the tip is secure

Question 12

How can soft tissues be retracted

Answer 12

They can be retracted with a dental mouth mirror, cheek retractor or a tongue depressor
The use of a finger to retract should be done with great care and nerves if a hand piece or scalpel are in use

Question 13

How can the mirror be kept clean for the operator

Answer 13

Gently blowing air on the mirror and occasionally washing it with air and water

Question 14

What is direct aspiration

Answer 14

It is adjacent to the tooth/teeth being treated

The aspiration is best placed slightly distal to the tooth/teeth to remove water/debris

Question 15

What is indirect aspiration used

Answer 15

Useful if access for the aspiration is limited or the aspiration obscures the view of the operator

Question 16

Where is the aspiration best positioned at the back of the oral cavity

Answer 16

Best positioned at the last standing tooth but occasionally you may need to move slightly further back if debris is gathering at the back of the tongue

Question 17

Why should the dental nurse adjust the dental light accordingly

Answer 17

So the operator should never have to lift their head from the oral cavity

Question 18

Why is it important to wipe filling materials from instruments

Answer 18

So it does not harden as this will result in problems during the sterilising process

Question 19

Why should you not wipe scaling instruments

Answer 19

There is a high risk of sharps injury so to remove debris from scaling instruments you must use a narrow bone aspiration tip and suction debris away

Question 20

What should the patient be wearing in the chair

Answer 20

Safety goggles and a bib whilst in the dental chair

Question 21

When should you add water to the mouthwash

Answer 21

Not until patient is seated in chair

Question 22

In what order is PPE worn

Answer 22

Perform hand hygiene
Apron
Mask 
Visor 
Gloves

Question 23

Describe infection control procedures when the patient leaves the chair

Answer 23

Remove all sharps and place in sharps box
Remove all disposable items and place in the clinical waste
Put all contaminated instruments into the designated box with the red lip for dispatch to CCSD
All instrument checklists must be completed
All instruments which come with a plastic tag must be put in the box with this tag
Remove the contaminated gloves and replace
Use wipes to clean the environment
Place the contaminated wipes and your gloves in the clinical waste
Perform hand hygiene

Question 24

What is the order of removal of PPE

Answer 24

Gloves
Apron
Goggles
Mask
Hand hygiene

Question 25

Where is the operating zone

Answer 25

7-11 o’clock

Question 26

What is the static zone

Answer 26

11-2 o’clock

Question 27

What is the nurses zone

Answer 27

2-4 o’clock

Question 28

What is the transfer zone

Answer 28

4-7 o’clock

Question 29

Where is the patients head

Answer 29

12 o’clock

Question 30

What is the supine position

Answer 30

Patient lies flat, a little bent at the waist

Question 31

How much higher should the dental chair be than your lap

Answer 31

1-2 inches

Question 32

Why must instruments that come with a tag be put in the box with their tag

Answer 32

Failure to do so will result in instruments not processed by CCSD and a shortage of instruments in the clinic

Question 33

What surfaces should be wiped in step 7 of infection control procedures

Answer 33

Start at the top of the unit and wipe everything that has been contaminated - dental light and handle, headrest, fabric of the chair including arms, bracket table and handle, motors and cables, partitions and cabinets adjacent to the spittoon, function tubing and finally the spittoon