Clinical Foundations - Midterm Learning Objectives Flashcards
1.1 Describe the four functions of dentistry.
- Preventive Functions - efforts to reduce dental caries & periodontal disease. These include a patient assessment, promotion of routine dental hygiene, application of fluoride, support of local water fluoridation
- Corrective functions - straightening mal-aligned teeth into a functioning occlusion (bite)
- Restorative functions - major effort in dentistry directed toward the repair or replacement of decayed and missing teeth.
- Esthetic Functions - are similar to restorative functions, however, it refers to techniques used to improve the appearance as well as the function of the teeth, mouth, and face.
1.2 Explain the contributions of a dental assistant to the dental team and practice.
chairside assisting, cleaning instruments, inventory, appointments, and bookkeeping.
- Work in Hospitals
-Military Dental Units
-Dental Supply Chains
-Dental Repair Tech
-Dental Assisting Schools
-Dental Insurance Claim departments
-Public Health
1.3 Describe the roles and responsibilities of a registered dental assistant (RDA).
- prepare patients for clinical care
-collecting and recording medical and dental history/vital signs
-provide patient with info on oral care
-assist dentist in preventive, restorative, specialty procedures
-prepare/deliver dental procedures
-provide post op instructions
-manage IPC
-perform xrays
-perform lab procedures
-manage patient admin/scheduling, etc.
1.4 List the legal skills a registered dental assistant (RDA) is able to perform in Alberta.
dental radiographs*
impressions
dental dam
selective coronal polishing and anticariogenic agents
pit and fissure sealants
desensitizing agents
matrices and wedges
topical anaesthetic
suture removal
bases and liners
1.5 Describe the role of the College of Alberta Dental Assistants.
Role of the College of Alberta Dental Assistants.
“The College of Alberta Dental Assistants regulates the profession of dental assisting in Alberta. Our College sets the standards for Dental Assistants. Our mandate is to protect the public. We do this by regulating Dental Assistants through annual registration and continuing competence so Albertans are assured of safe, quality oral health care: (CADA, 2023)
2.1 Describe the different environments in a dental office.
- The Reception Room
- The Business Office
- Dental Treatment Room
- Dental Laboratory
- Sterilization Area
- Radiograph Area
- Doctor’s Private Office
- Patient Education/Oral Hygiene Area
- Other - storage area, staff lounge, washrooms, surgical suites, recovery room for patients
2.2 Identify the functions and care of treatment room equipment.
- Dental Chairs
-Patient chair
-Dentist Chair - The operator can be the assistant, hygienist, or dentist
-Assistant chair - Dental Clinic
-Master Control Switch
-Dentist Tray Arm & Bracket Table (Unit control switch, air/water syringe, air pressure gauge, slow & high speed handpiece connectors, rheostat, water control switch)
Dental Assistant Unit - Air/water syringe, low & high volume evacuators, suction trap) - Compressors
-central vacuum compressor - provides the suction needed for the oral evacuation systems
central air compressor -provides compressed air for the air-water syringe and air-driven handpieces - Additional Equipment - Curing Light, Amalgamator, Hygiene Cavitron, laser unit, xray unit, computer monitor, hand hygiene area, towel dispenser, mirror, garbage
2.3 Identify zones of activity within a dental procedure.
Operator Zone - extends from 7 to 12 o’clock for a right-handed operator and from 12 to 5 o’clock for a left-handed operator. This part of the circle is where the dentist can be positioned to gain access to areas of the mouth.
Assistant Zone - is from 2 to 4 o’clock for a right-handed operator and from 8 to10 o’clock for a left-handed operator. In this area, there should be nothing to interfere with the dental assistant having access to instruments and materials used for the treatment being performed on the patient.
Transfer Zone - is where instruments and materials are transported to and from the oral cavity. It extends from 4 to 7 o’clock for a right-handed operator and from 5 to 8 o’clock for a left-handed person. This area is only used for the transfer of instruments and material and allows the dentist to keep his eyes on the treatment are
Static Zone - This is a non-traffic area and is from 12 to 2 o’clock for a right-handed operator and from 10 to 12 o’clock for a left-handed operator. Equipment, additional cabinets, and dental materials used during treatment can be placed here.
2.4 Demonstrate the position of an operator.
Can be dentist, assistant or hygienist. The operator can spend up to eight hours in the chair each day, therefore it is important for him/her to feel comfortable. Working in the correct ergonomic positions will provide comfort, maintain a healthy posture and in turn, extend the length of his/her career
-The operator must be seated in a position of “balanced posture”.
-The stool height should be adjusted so that the tops of the operator’s thighs are parallel to the floor.
-The entire surface of the seat of the stool is used to support the operator’s weight. The backrest should support the operator’s back without interfering with the movement of the arms.
-The operator’s forearms are parallel to the floor when operating with elbows close to the body.
-The operator’s back and neck should be reasonably upright, shoulders parallel to the floor and the feet flat on the floor.
-There should be an approximate distance of 12 to 14 inches between the operator’s nose and the patient’s mouth.
2.5 Demonstrate the position of a dental assistant.
Dental Assistant should follow below criteria for correct ergonomics:
-Seated well back on the stool
-Feet are resting on the ring
-Positioned as close as possible to the dental chair
-Legs parallel to the patient chair
-Back is straight
-Back is supported by the lumbar support (side)
-Eye-level is about 4-6 inches above the dentist /operator
-Not leaning forward
2.6 Demonstrate patient positioning in a dental chair.
The chair is positioned so that it is approximately 15 degrees from being perpendicular to the floor. The chair seat is positioned at a height so the patient can sit down comfortably.
Adjust the arm on the side of the chair where the patient will sit.
Patient Positioning:
-Upright position – patient chair seated at 90 degrees
-Supine position - head and knees are at the same level/patient’s chin to ankles are parallel to the floor
-Subsupine position (patient head below knees)
-Suprasupine position (patient chin above knees)
3.1 Explain handpiece classification.
General Handpiece Classification:
-Low - Speed (Slow- Speed)
straight attachment
contra angle attachment
prophy attachment
-High - Speed
-Laboratory
Specialized Handpiece Classification:
-Ultrasonic
-Laser
-Air Abrasion
-Implant
-Endodontic
-Surgical
3.2 Identify handpiece components.
All handpieces have some basic components including:
-Working end (head) – where the rotary instruments and attachments are secured
-Shank – the grip of the handle portion
-Connection end – the component which attaches to the power source
-Motor Section
3.3 Demonstrate the care and function of dental handpieces.
Care of Handpieces
- assemble over tray or cart to avoid dropping
-when placing/removing burs, ensure the rheostat is not engaged
- store handpieces with burs facing toward operator cart to avoid contamination injuries
-cleaning and lubrication of the components to maintain proper function.
Pre Cleaning
-cleaned at the point of contact (the operatory) to avoid the transfer of potentially infectious material
-After treatment, remove rotary instruments
-remove barriers from handpieces
-use brush to remove debris in hard to access grooves/ridges
-components are wiped with disenfectant wipe
Highspeed handpieces require extra care - avoid bending the tubing/breaking the fibers.
-After treatment, wipe visible debris from the handpiece and then run the rheostat for 20-30 seconds to flush the air and water lines through the handpiece to remove debris from the water lines and turbines within the handpiece.
-fiber optics at both ends of the handpiece are routinely cleaned with a damp cotton tip applicator to ensure no buildup occurs on these components
Lubrication - serves to clean the internal surfaces of the handpiece as well as lubricate the working parts.
Reprocessing of handpieces -In order to avoid the spread of disease, dental offices are not to use handpieces unless the handpiece has been sterilized after each patient. The handpiece is considered a critical item.
Clean/debride all components of the handpiece at the point of use
Lubricate the handpiece
Inspect and package
Sterilize
Store and deliver
4.1 Explain the principles of instrument identification.
Dr. Black’s instrument formula describes the dimension and angulation of hand instruments. This formula is applied to all hand cutting instruments that have cutting edges. The formula consists of three or four units, each with a measurement based on the metric system. This formula is stamped on the handle of the instrument by the manufacture
Note: The higher the number, the larger the instrument.
3 Numbered Formula:
- first number indicates the width of the blade in tenths of millimeters.
-second number indicates the length of the blade in millimeters.
-third number indicates the angle of the blade in relation to the long axis of the handle in degrees centigrade.
4 Numbered Formula:
-first number indicates the width of the blade in tenths of millimeters.
-second number designates the angle of the cutting edge in relation to the blade.
-third number indicates the length of the blade in millimeters.
-fourth number indicates the angle of the blade in relation to the long axis of the handle in degrees centigrade.
Instruments are Classified into 4 Categories:
-Examination instruments
-Hand (Manual) cutting instruments
-Restorative instruments
-Accessory instruments
