Chairside Assisting/Instruments Flashcards
The office may be _____ with ___ or _____ treatment rooms or it may have a ______ setting with any number of treatment rooms
Small
Two
Three
Clinic
What may a dental office design also include? (6)
Consultation rooms Staff lounge Storage areas Office for the manager Space for a radiograph machine Reception room
What does the the OSHA require for a dental office design?
Requires a room for staff to change and store uniforms
What is the reception room?
The area the patient initially enters and gives the first impression of the office
What is important to have for the reception room?
It is important that this room be pleasing and comfortable as well as neat and clean
The reception room is an excellent place to provide _______ ________ materials for all ____ groups
Patient education
Age
Where and what is the reception desk and business office?
Often part of or adjacent to the reception room, so that patients can be greeted as they enter the office
What do some offices have besides a reception desk and business office?
Administrative area, where the office manager or business assistant manages the business part of the dental practice
The reception desk should have what?
Adequate space and lighting
What separate area that is also well vented is in the dental office design?
Dental Office Laboratory
The amount of lab work done in the ______ depends on the ________ preference
Office
Dentist’s
What may a dental laboratory contain? (10)
Vibrator Model trimmer Laboratory handpiece Vacuum former Sink Exhaust fan Plaster Stone storage bins Heat source Dental lathe
What is the x-ray processing room?
A small room near the treatment rooms
What is the x-ray processing room also called?
Darkroom
What does the x-ray processing room contain? (6)
Sink Manual processing tank Drying racks Space for storage Safelights Counter space
What is the counter space in an x-ray processing room used for?
Processing and mounting radiographs
In most dental offices, __________ ________ are in each treatment room for _________ x-rays
Radiograph machines
Intraoral
What is in the radiography room?
Extraoral radiographic equipment
What must the radiography room be? (2)
Must provide occupational safety from ionizing radiation
Be large enough to house this equipment
Where do the guidelines for radiography room come from?
State health department
Periodic inspections may be required by state agencies
Optional rooms in the dental office are dictated by what?(4)
Dentist’s preference
Patient usage
Amount of space available
Practice budget
True or false:
The dentist’s private office is an optional room
True
What is a dentist’s private office? (2)
Where the dentist conducts personal and professional business
May be used to consult with patients privately or for staff meetings
The dentist’s private office is designed according to the __________ taste of the ______
Individual
Doctor
True or false:
The staff lounge is an optional room
True
What is the staff lounge? (2)
A place for staff to have lunch and relax
May also be used as a room for staff meetings
What is in the staff lounge? (7)
Sink Refrigerator Microwave Coffee machine Table and chairs Storage cupboards Countertop space
True or false:
The patient education area is an optional room
True
What is the patient education area?
A very functional and diverse area in the dental office
What might the patient education area look like in the orthodontic office?
Furnished with mirrors and sinks (Where patients can practice home-care techniques)
The patient education area may be an ___________ centre containing a variety of information on ______ care and _________ available to patients, such as _________ treatments or ______ implants
Information Dental Treatments Bleaching Dental
True or false:
The consultation room/area is an optional room
True
What is the consultation room/area?
A room/area where the dentist can sit down with the patient and discuss the treatment plan and financial arrangement
The consultation room/area is _______ and ____ from the ____ flow of the office
Private
Away
Main
What is the centre of all clinical activity?
The dental chair
What is the dental chair designed for?
For the operator and the assistant to provide patient treatment comfortably and efficiently
What 3 positions does the dental chair support the patient in?
Upright
Supine
Subsupine
What is the upright position?
Back of chair is in a 90-degree angle
What is supine position?
Reclined position with the nose and knees on the same plane
What is subsupine position?
Reclined position with the head lower than the feet
True or false:
The dental chair is only designed to accommodate adults
False, the dental chair is designed to accommodate both children and adults
What does the dental chair have? (3)
Controls to move seat
Narrow head rest to allow those providing treatment to be close to the patient’s head
Upholstered in a material that is comfortable, easy to clean, and coordinates with office colour theme
Why does the dental chair have a narrow headrest?
To allow those providing treatment to be close to the patient’s head
What does the dental unit consist of? (6)
Handpieces Air-water syringe Saliva ejector Oral evacuator (HVE) Ultrasonic scaling unit Numerous other options
The dental unit may be fixed to the _____ or on a _______ cart
Wall
Mobile
What are the 3 basic modes of delivery available on a dental unit?
Rear Delivery System
Side Delivery System
Front Delivery System
What is the rear delivery system?
Behind the patient’s head
What is the side delivery system?
On the dentist’s side
What is the front delivery system?
Designed so that it can be pulled over the patient’s chest
What is used to hold the delivery systems?
Mobile carts
What is the operator’s cart usually set up for? (5)
Two or three dental handpieces
Rheostat
Air-water syringe
Sometimes a HVE and saliva ejector
What is the assistant’s cart usually set up with? (3)
Air-water syringe
Saliva ejector
HVE
What provides air, water, or a combination spray of air and water?
Air-Water Syringe
What is the purpose of the air-water syringe? (2)
Helps keep the oral cavity clean and dry
Protect the tooth from the heat produced by the hand pieces
What are the two types of dental hand pieces?
Low speed
High speed
What are dental hand pieces attached to?
Attached to hoses that are a part of the dental unit
Each handpiece has ___ controls
Two
What are the two controls of the handpiece?
On/off switch (to keep more than one hand piece from being turned on)
Rheostat (to control the speed)
What is a rheostat?
Foot pedal
The ultrasonic scaler is ________ to the dental unit
Attached
When is the ultrasonic scaler used?
During prophylaxis and periodontal procedures
What attach to the ultrasonic scaler?
Small tips
The scaler has a _________ action that removes ____ ________, such as ________, and other ______ from the teeth
Vibrating
Hard deposits
Calculus
Debris
What is used to remove saliva and fluids from the patient’s mouth slowly?
Saliva ejector
The ejector tip is a ____, ________, _______ ____ that is disposed of after each patient’s treatment
Thin
Flexible
Plastic tube
What is the HVE also known as?
Oral evacuator
What does HVE stand for?
High-Volume Evacuation
What is the HVE used for?
Used by the assistant to remove fluids from the patient’s mouth
Where is the on/off control for the HVE?
Handle
Each unit of the HVE has a ____ that collects ______ from the evacuator
Trap
Debris
Dental stools are required by who?
Operator
Assistant
When are dental stools required?
During most procedures
True or false:
The operator’s and assistant’s stools are the same
False, they have some similarities but also have several differences
What ergonomic characteristics does the operator’s stool have? (5)
Adjustable height Adjustable back rest Comfortable seat Mobility Broad base
What ergonomic characteristics does the dental assistant’s stool have? (7)
Adjustable height Adjustable back rest/extended arm Comfortable seat Mobility Broad base Foot rest Easy to adjust
True or false:
The operating light is attached to the dental chair or mounted to the ceiling
True
Who should be able to adjust the position of the light?
Both the operator and the assistant
Most treatment rooms have some types of _________ for storage of ________ and _________ used during treatment
Cabinetry
Supplies
Materials
Some dental units are designed in _____ ________ that surround the ________, ________, and _________
Fixed cabinets
Patient
Operator
Assistant
What do the fixed units contain?
Cupboards that open from the fronts and the back
Drawers
Sinks
What are the cupboards for?
Treatment trays
What are the drawers for?
Materials frequently used
What are the sinks for?
Operator and assistant
True or false:
The treatment room should be designed with sinks in convenient locations for the dentist
False, for the dentist and assistants
Some treatment rooms have ___ sinks
Two, one on each side of the dental chair
What is the dental x-ray unit used for?
To expose intraoral radiographs
Where are the controls for the dental x-ray unit found? Why?
Outside the room
So that the dental assistant is not exposed to radiation
The _________ ______ for exposing extraoral radiographs is usually in a ________ area _______ the treatment room
Panoramic machine
Separate
Outside
What is used to read traditional radiographs?
X-ray viewbox
Where may an x-ray viewbox be placed?
On a counter or in a wall or cabinet
What does the x-ray viewbox consist of?
A bright light source covered with a frosted surface
Where are x-rays placed for clear viewing in an x-ray viewbox?
On the frosted surface
What is a dental curing light used for?
To “cure” or “set” light-cured materials
What are examples of curing light technologies? (4)
Tungsten halogen
Argon laser
Plasma arc (PAC)
Light emitting diode (LED)
True or false:
Curing lights should be tested periodically
True
What is a curing light tested with?
Radiometer (light meter)
Why are curing lights tested periodically?
Light bulbs will deteriorate over time and not produce an adequate cure
_____ ______ _____ are available to test the halogen curing lights
Small handheld meters
What is an amalgamator?
A small machine that mixes dental amalgram and some dental cements
What is a term for “mixes”?
Triturates
The amalgamator is place near the _________, either on the _______ or in a ______
Assistant
Counter
Drawer
What is a communication system?
A color-coded light system or intercom system the office uses as a method for the staff and the dentist to communicate with each other
Where is the communication system usually found?
On walls in the treatment rooms, sterilization area, laboratory, and staff lounge
True or false:
There are many types of communication systems
True, some work in smaller dental offices, some work in large dental clinics
What are the computerized equipment? (2)
Intraoral camera
Computer terminal
What contains a small camera that transmits to the computer monitor?
Intraoral wand
Computerized equipment allows the office to be “_________”
Paperless
What provides compressed air for the handpieces and air for the air-water syringes?
Dental Air Compressor
It is important for what to be changed routinely in a dental air compressor?
Filters
What should be checked for condensation in the lines in a dental air compressor?
Compressor
If condensation is apparent in a dental air compressor, call for ______ _______ to correct the problem
Dental service
What does the central vacuum system do?
Provides suction for saliva ejectors and oral evacuators at each dental unit
_______ or _____ must be cleaned regularly to keep central vacuum system working to capacity
Filters
Traps
What needs to be in place to ensure proper maintenance control?
A routine schedule
Who is the responsibility of planning a routine schedule given to?
dental assistants
Usually the office is cleaned ______________, but the _________ should ____________ check the overall appearance of the office
Professionally
Assistant
Periodically
True or false:
Whoever is responsible to open the office in the morning usually arrives 30 minutes early
False, whoever is responsible to open the office in the morning usually arrives 30-45 minutes early
To close the office, what happens? (3)
The responsible person stays after the last patient
And makes sure that everything is tuned off
And the office is ready for patients the next day
When the dentist and assistant are working at the dental chair together, it is called:
Four-handed dentistry
Sometimes, and additional assistant is needed to bring items to the treatment room, assist the assistant in mixing materials, or help with a patient, what is that called?
Six-handed dentistry
What is vital when the dentist and the assistant are positioning themselves around the patient? (4)
Good visibility of the patient’s mouth
Easy access to all areas of the patient’s mouth
Easy access to dental equipment, instruments, and materials
Safety and comfort for the patient, the operatory, and the assistant
How many activity zones are there around the patient’s mouth?
4
What are the 4 activity zones around the patient’s mouth?
Operating zone
Assisting zone
Static zone
Transfer zone
Describe the operating zone
Area where the operator is positioned to access the oral cavity and has the best visibility
Describe the assisting zone
Area where the assistant is positioned to easily assist the dentist or access instruments
Describe the static zone
Area where the rear delivery systems are found along with the dental instruments and equipment used at the chair
Describe the transfer zone
Area below the patient’s nose where instruments and materials are passed and received
How are activity zones determined?
By visualizing the patient’s head as the centre of a clock
How many classifications of motion are there?
5
Describe Class I motion
Involves only finger movement
Describe Class II motion
Involves movement of the fingers and wrist
Describe Class III motion
Involves finger, wrist, and elbow movement
Describe Class IV motion
Involves movement of the entire arm and shoulder
Describe Class V motion
Involves movement of the arm and twisting of the body
Most instruments are made of __________ _____, and a few consist of a high-tech _______/_____ or ________ ________
Stainless steel
Plastic/Resin
Anodized aluminum
How are dental instruments classified? (4)
Working ends
Function
Manufacturer’s number
Black’s formula
What is the basic setup of instruments found on all trays? (3)
Mouth mirror
Explorer
Cotton pliers
Dental instrument is generally _ inches long and is _____ or ______ ended
6
Single
Double
What are the parts of the dental hand instrument? (3)
Working end
Shank
Handle
Describe the working end (2)
Performs the specific function of the instrument
May be a point blade or nib
(Working end) A point is sharp and is used to _______, ______, and _______ materials
Explore
Detect
Reflect
(Working end) The blade may be ____ or ______ and have a _______ or _______ edge
Flat
Curved
Rounded
Cutting
Describe the handle (shaft) (2)
Is where the instrument is held by the operator
May be serrated or smooth and is usually hexagonal for a better fit
Describe the shank (2)
Connects the handle to the working end and narrows from the handle to the working end
It narrows or tapers from the handle to the working end
What are cutting instruments used for?
To assist in the design of the cavity preparation
What is a chisel used for?
Used to shape and plane the enamel and dentin walls of the cavity preparation
Describe the chisel (2)
Straight blade and has a cutting edge with a one-sided bevel
Have several different shanks, which is where they get their names
What is a chisel with no angle in the shanks?
Straight
What is a chisel with slightly curved shank?
Wedelstaedt
What is a chisel with two angles in the shanks?
Binangle
Describe a straight chisel
No angle in shanks
Describe a wedelstaedt chisel
Slightly curved shank
Describe a binangle chisel
Two angles in the shank
What is a hatch used for?
Used in a downward motion to refine the cavity walls and obtain retention in the cavity preparation
What is a hatch also known as?
Enamel hatchet
How can you tell a hatchet’s left and right ends?
Marked with rings on the handles
What is a hoe used for?
Used in a pulling motion to smooth and shape the floor of the cavity preparation
What is a hoe shaped like?
A garden hoe, with straight and angled shank
What is a gingival margin trimmer used for?
Used in pairs during cavity preparation since one is for the distal and one is for the mesial surface
Describe a gingival margin trimmer (3)
Similar to the hatchet regarding the position of the blade to the handle
Blade is curve and the cutting edge is at an angle
Is double-ended and paired
What is an angle former used for?
Used in a downward pushing motion to form and define point angles and to sharpen line angles
Describe an angle former
Similar to the hoe except the fact that it’s angled and is also double-ended
What is an excavator used for? (2)
Used to remove carious material and debris from teeth
Used during the removal of excess dental cement, tucking rubber dam material, etc.
Describe an excavator
Similar to the GMT with the curved blade but the cutting edge is rounded all the way around the periphery
True or false:
A mouth mirror is double-ended and made out of metal
False, a mouth mirror is single-ended and made of metal or plastic
A mouth mirror may have a ______ with a ____ socket for easy replacement
Handle
Cone
What is the three types of mirrors of a mouth mirror?
Plane surface
Front surface
Concave surface
Is an explorer a single or a double ended instrument?
Single or double-ended instrument
What is the purpose of an explorer?
Allows the operator to examine the surfaces of the teeth to detect irregularity
Describe cotton pliers
Shaped like large tweezers
What is a cotton plier used for?
Used to transport and manipulate various materials
What is a periodontal probe used for?
Used to measure the depth of the gingival sulcus
True or false:
The periodontal probe is very functional and reduces the number of instruments on the tray
True
What are plastic filling instruments used for?
Used to place and condense pliable restorative materials and to place cement bases in the cavity preparation
What are amalgam carriers used for?
Carry and dispense amalgam or composite into the cavity preparation
How is an amalgam carrier used? (3)
Dental assistant loads both ends of the carrier with the restorative material
And either passes it to the operator or places the amalgam in the cavity preparation
And then refills the carrier as need
A ______-______ amalgam gun is used to carry and place __________, _____ ________, and _______ ______
Spring-action
Composites
Glass ionomers
Amalgam alloys
What is an amalgam condenser used for?
Used to pack amalgam into the cavity preparation
What is an amalgam condenser also called?
Pluggers
What are the various shapes of condensers? (5)
Round Ovoid Rectangular Diamond Cone-shaped
What are carvers used for?
Used to remove excess restorative material and to carve tooth anatomy in the restoration before the material hardens
What are burnishers used for?
Used to smooth rough margins of the restoration and to shape metal matrix bands
What are files used for?
Used to trim excess filling material and to smooth the restoration, especially the margins
What are finishing knives used for?
Used to trim the excess filling material
What are the working ends of finishing knives like? (2)
Sharp, knife-like blades
Come in variety of shapes an angles to access restoration margins
