Fundamentals of Chairside Assistance

Question 1

What position should dentist and nurses be sitting in when treating patients?

Answer 1

“balance position”
- balanced posture with no distortions
- no twisted or bent lower back
- thighs should be parallel to floor
- elbows close to body

Question 2

Describe optimal operator positioning?

Answer 2

• no twists/bends in back
• bottom placed at back of chair
• lower back straight & supported by chair
• shoulders relaxed & parallel to floor
• feet supported/flat on floor
• thighs parallel to floor

Question 3

Describe optimal nurses positioning during treatment:

Answer 3

• thigh adjacent to shoulder of patient
• angled inwards
• 2”-4” inches higher than dentist
• facing dentist

Question 4

Where is the “transfer zone”?

Answer 4

area across pt chest beneath chin

Question 5

What does the acronym NAFAL stand for?

Answer 5

Nurse Always First And Last

Question 6

How should the aspirator be held?

Answer 6

pencil like grip

Question 7

What can be used to retract soft tissues?

Answer 7

• dental mirror
• cheek retractor
• tongue depressor

Question 8

What are the different modes of aspiration?

Answer 8

Direct or Indirect

Question 9

What is direct aspiration?

Answer 9

Aspirating adjacent to the tooth/teeth being treated
- best being slightly distal to the tooth

Question 10

What is indirect aspiration?

Answer 10

Position the aspirator as though treatment is being undertaken on the lower left quadrant

Question 11

You are undertaking dental work on the upper anterior teeth - what type of aspiration is best suited for this?

Answer 11

Indirect aspiration

Question 12

In what order should you put on PPE?

Answer 12

Perform hand hygiene
- apron
- mask
- visor
- gloves

Question 13

Where is the static zone?

Answer 13

area across pt eyes

Question 14

Using the clock system, where is the position of the operating zone for a right handed operator?

Answer 14

7 - 11

Question 15

Using the clock system, where is the position of the static zone for a right handed operator?

Answer 15

11 - 2

Question 16

Using the clock system, where is the position of the nurses zone for a right handed operator?

Answer 16

2 - 4

Question 17

Using the clock system, where is the position of the transfer zone for a right handed operator?

Answer 17

4 - 7

Question 18

What position should the patient be lying in??

Answer 18

Supine position