Chapter 18 Dental Assistant Skills 2009 Delmar Cengage

Chapter 18 Dental Assistant Skills © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Career Highlights • Dental assistants are valuable members of the dental health care field • Education requirements • Certification obtained through the Dental Assisting National Board • Duties performed follow state regulations • Required skills © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 1 Identifying the Structures and Tissues of a Tooth • Odontology: study of the anatomy, growth, and diseases of the teeth • Teeth are accessory organs of the digestive tract • Aid in mastication (chewing) of food © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Two Sets of Teeth • Dentitions: sets of teeth • Primary or deciduous dentition • Permanent or succedaneous dentition © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

The Tooth • • Crown—visible in the mouth Root—below the gum line Cervix—where the crown meets the root Apex—tip of the root © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Tissues of the Tooth • Enamel—covers the crown • Cementum—covers the outside of the root • Dentin—located under the enamel and cementum of the root • Pulp—in the inner area of the tooth © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Periodontium • Structures that surround and support teeth • Alveolar process or ridge—surrounds the roots and has sockets • Periodontal ligament—supports the tooth in the socket • Gingiva or gums—surrounds the cervix © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Dental Care • Disease can affect the teeth and supporting structures • Dental care – Preventing and treating dental disease – Preserving and prolonging the life of the teeth © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 2 Identifying the Teeth • • Incisors—front and center of the mouth Cuspids—at angles of lips Bicuspids—before the molars Molars—back of the mouth © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Primary or Deciduous Teeth • First set of teeth—called “baby” teeth • 20 teeth • Naming of teeth © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Permanent or Succedaneous Teeth • Second or permanent set of teeth • 32 teeth • Naming of teeth © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 3 Identifying Teeth Using Numbering Systems • Universal National Numbering System – Identified by using letters A to T • Federation Dentaire International System – Two-digit code and 4 quadrants © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 4 Identifying the Surfaces of the Teeth • • Anterior (toward the front) teeth Posterior (toward the back) teeth Crown surfaces Suggested abbreviations (continues) © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Identifying the Surfaces of the Teeth (continued) • Line angles—form where two crown surfaces meet • Point angles—form where three crown surfaces meet • Abbreviations for line angles and point angles of anterior teeth • Abbreviations for line angles and point angles of posterior teeth © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 5 Charting Conditions of the Teeth • Conditions of the teeth are often charted on dental charts or insurance forms • Forms, symbols used, abbreviations, and other factors vary • Dental charts are legal records • Dental charts • Anatomic diagrams (continues) © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Charting Conditions of the Teeth (continued) • • Geometric diagrams Surfaces of teeth Charting guidelines Common symbols for anatomic or geometric diagrams • Recording treatments or services • Use of computerized dental charting © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 6 Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment • Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for operation of equipment • Infection control • Personal protective equipment (PPE) • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) • Covers for dental equipment (continues) © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment (continued) • • Dental light Dental chair Air compressor Oral-evacuation system Assistant’s cart Tri-flow or air-water syringe Saliva ejector (continues) © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment (continued) • • High-velocity oral evacuator Cuspidor Doctor’s cart Low-speed hand piece – Contra angle for cutting and polishing – Prophylaxis angle for holding cups, etc. • High-speed handpiece (ultraspeed) © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Summary • Responsibilities for care and maintenance of dental equipment will vary • Dental assistant should learn exactly what maintenance is expected as a part of the job • Read specific manufacturer’s instructions for equipment you will handle © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 7 Identifying Dental Instruments and Preparing Dental Trays • • Methods for setting up dental trays Organization of trays Main parts of a dental hand instrument Standard instruments Guidelines for preparing dental trays Examples of tray set-ups Basic principles for preparing dental trays © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 8 Positioning a Patient in the Dental Chair • Designed to position patient comfortably while providing doctor and assistant easy access to oral cavity • Headrests • Supine position • Explanation of all chair movements • Protective drape and safety glasses • Positioning of light • Principles of seating patient in dental chair © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 9 Demonstrating Brushing and Flossing Techniques • Using correct brushing and flossing techniques is essential in prevention of dental disease • May be responsible for teaching patients • Correct brushing and flossing is one method of prophylactic care (continues) © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Demonstrating Brushing and Flossing Techniques (continued) • • Purposes Demonstrations Bass method Five surfaces on each tooth Toothbrushes Toothpastes or dentifrices Dental floss © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Summary • Correct brushing and flossing provides prophylactic care • Give thorough explanation to all patients • Be sure patient understands procedures • Asking patient to demonstrate procedures is a good way to determine if all points have been learned © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 10 Taking Impressions and Pouring Molds • Impression – Negative film reproduction of a tooth, several teeth, or a dental arch – Taken to form a model of the area for restoration treatment that will take place outside of the mouth – Common materials used to take impressions © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Alginate • Hydrocolloid impression material that cannot be returned to its original state • Advantages • Disadvantages • Alginate powder—follow manufacturer’s recommended directions • Principles for taking alginate impression • Storage of alginate material © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Rubber Base or Polysulfide • Elastomeric impression material that is elastic and rubbery in nature • Three types are available • Can be used in any type of dental impression • Not as subject to dimension changes as alginate (continues) © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Rubber Base or Polysulfide (continued) • Models should be poured promptly if possible • Disadvantages • Basic principles of preparing rubber base © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Silicones • • • Polysiloxane or polyvinylsiloxane Available in different material qualities Supplied in two tubes—base and catalyst Advantages Disadvantages © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Gypsum Products • Two main products to form models – Plaster – Stone • Principles for the use of gypsum • Follow standard precautions for infection control when taking impressions and pouring models © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 11 Making Custom Trays • Impression trays that are made to fit patient’s mouth • Materials used to produce trays • Acrylic resins are self-curing or light-curing • Types of custom trays • Clean and replace all equipment © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 12 Maintaining and Loading an Anesthetic Aspirating Syringe • Anesthesia is used for pain control • Types of anesthesia – – General anesthesia Analgesia Local anesthesia Topical anesthesia © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Injections • Two main kinds of injections for used for local anesthesia – Block – Infiltration • • Types of medications Anesthetic carpules (cartridges) Aspirating syringes Follow standard precautions © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 13 Mixing Dental Cements and Bases • Cements and bases used in variety of dental procedures • Terminology • Types of products • Basic principles of mixing cements and bases © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 14 Preparing Restorative Materials • Restoration: process of replacing a diseased portion of a tooth or a lost tooth by artificial means • May include filling material, crowns, bridge, denture, partial denture, or implant • Dental caries or decay © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Amalgam • Restorative material used mostly on posterior teeth • Contains four main metals – – Silver Tin Copper Zinc (continues) © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Amalgam (continued) • Mercury when added to other metals forms amalgam • Must be handled with care due to toxicity • Use protective clothing • Follow manufacturer’s recommendations © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Composite • Restorative material used primarily for the repair of anterior teeth – Self-curing (chemical-curing) – Light-curing • Various shades to blend with teeth • Follow manufacturer’s instructions © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

18: 15 Developing and Mounting Dental X-Rays • Dental X-rays or radiographs – Radiolucents – Radiopaque • Types of dental radiographs • Developing films • Mounting X-rays © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Summary • The dental assistant acquires many skills • Use of these skills enables the dental assistant to perform or assist with many procedures in the dental care setting • Following procedures the assistant is often responsible for cleaning and care of equipment used © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning