Role Of The Dental Nurse Flashcards
The Role
Help to ensure pt is well cared for.
Must be friendly, calm, efficient and have a reassuring and welcoming manner
Provides assistance throughout pt visit, assisting the dentist encompasses a wide range of procedures from prep materials and instruments/equipment
Cleaning and sterilising, help record information on oral health, process radiographs and stock control
May also help at reception in administration duties
Personality of a dental nurse
Adaptable, flexible, reassuring and working part of a team
Able to work quickly and calmly while coping multiple changes of plan often with little or no notice
Able to recognise when a pt is nervous and put them at ease. Pt normally find nurses easier to confide in about difficulties - this can improve communication between dentist and pt.
Precise, manual dexterity, organised so that equipment and materials are easily accessible during dental procedures
Regulation and professional registration with the GDC
GDC regulates dental professionals in the UK, legal requirement that all dentists, nurses, technicians, hygienists and therapists must be registered to work in UK
DCPs - dental care professionals (nurses, technicians, hygienist, therapists)
GDC aims to
Protect pt within UK by regulating dental staff, assuring the quality of dental education and setting standards for conduct that all dental professionals must adhere to
Those in training are temp exempt but must be able to demonstrate they are working towards one of the registerable qualifications on a recognised training programme
Some duties
Prep and maintaining dental equipment, instruments and materials
Carrying out infection control and decontamination procedures
Recording dental charting carried out by clinicians
Prep, mixing and handling dental materials
Chair side support to dentists, therapists and hygienists
Support and reassurance to patients
Administrative support in appt making, payments and dealing with paperwork
General duties
Running and maintaining an efficient surgery - cleanliness and tidiness
Making sure heating, lighting and ventilation is adjusted to make a comfortable environment for staff and pt
Ordering and correct storage of stock(gloves, hand towels, masks, materials)
A knowledge of, and compliance with health and safety legislation - fire safety, waste disposal
Admin and reception duties
Patient management skills: Greeting Appointments Communication Equality Special needs Dental emergencies Team work Maintaining confidentiality
Admin and reception
Good level of communication skills
Working knowledge of appt systems, arrangement and recall
Filing pt records - manual or computerised
Knowledge of NHS and private regulations and organisation
Management of financial records
Back up computer systems
Liaison with dental labs - collection and delivery of lab work
Surgery duties
Thorough prep of surgery before clinical session, between patients and at the end of treatment session
A uniform and PPE must be worn
Surgery is disinfected thoroughly- surfaces, chair, light, spittoon, suction and cart
All must be switched on (chair suction light)
Protective disposal covers applied to handles
Flush water lines following practice policy
Check all equipment is functioning correctly
Prep records, instrument kits and materials are provided for the session
During treatment
Assist at the chair side
Maintain pt records, use of suction to keep a dry and clear operative field, support with instruments and materials, monitor pt throughout
Act as chaperone and witness
Ensure pt face is clean before they leave (free of alginate)
Dispose of waste products and remove dirty instruments to decon
Disinfect surfaces and equipment
Set up surgery for the next pt
End of the day
Surfaces are disinfected and wiped down Equipment switched off Sterilised instruments are returned to correct storage Spittoon and suction are run through with disinfectant solution All files returned to reception PCs are backed up and switched off Lab work disinfected and collected The surgery left safe and secure
General pt care
Remember pts are human beings so treat them accordingly
Never rush them
Be sympathetic to old and nervous pt, don’t rush them if they are infirm but do ensure they do not occupy too much of the operators time
Understand dental procedure is an important part of coping, help pt feel and be in control. (Knowledge empowers confidence)
Never leave pt unattended - chat with them
Many barriers when attempting to Access dental care may add to feat or anxiety
Financial reasons Geographical / physical disability Work and family commitments Expectation of trt options General health and well-being Pain Anxiety from past experience, mental health and risks with radiography
Role of the dental team
Dentists Hygienist Nurse Technicians Receptionist
Purpose is to provide best trt for the needs of the pt
Dentist
Work with pt and general public to prevent and treat dental and oral disease, correcting dental irregularities (particularly children) and treating dental and facial injures
Lead the team and have the skill to diagnose and treat problems and provide good advice to pt as well as manual dexterity to carry out intricate surgical and dental procedures
Have knowledge of human anatomy and oral disease as well as first class clinical skills
GDPs - general dental practitioners
