Handpiece Assessment

Question 1

What is the first step for assessing if a dental hand piece is safe to use?

Answer 1

Make sure dental hand piece is sterilised and in sterile packaging

Question 2

What is the next step for assessing if a dental hand piece is safe to use?

Answer 2

Visual inspection - check back cap is secure

Question 3

What would you do if you found the backcap was loose?

Answer 3

DO NOT TIGHTEN YOURSELF
report to a dental nurse or supervising clinician and tell them the nature of the fault
should be sent away for repair, as it must be tightened using a special locking tool used by a qualified technician

Question 4

What is the third step for assessing if a dental hand piece is safe to use?

Answer 4

Check that the bur is located correctly within the dental hand piece - without depressing the button, pull gently on the bur to make sure it is secure

Question 5

What is the fourth step for assessing if a dental hand piece is safe to use?

Answer 5

Make sure that the bur spins freely - this can be assessed by rolling the bur along the gloved finger

Question 6

What is the fifth step for assessing if a dental hand piece is safe to use?

Answer 6

Make sure the bur doesn’t wobble

Question 7

What is the last step for assessing if a dental hand piece is safe to use?

Answer 7

Listen to the sound produced - make sure bur produces normal sound (abnormal screeching indicates it doesn’t grip the restorative material correctly and can therefore be damaging to tooth)

Question 8

How many cycles does a dental hand piece rotate a dental but within a second?

Answer 8

4,000-6,000 cycles per second