Chapter 17 / 18Introduction to Dental Assisting

The Dental Office

Reception Room– Not a ‘waiting room’– 1st impression– Neat and Clean– Pt should feel

• Comfortable • Welcome

– May have a children’s area.

The Dental Office

Reception Desk– Appointments

are made here.– Records kept in

this area– Neat, clean,

organized. Dental treatment room– Operatory

• Exam room• Treatment room

– Designed for• Doctor

– Restorative

• Hygienist– Prophylaxis

The Dental Office

Darkroom– X-ray processing

room.– X-rays are

developed.• Automatic processor• Manual dip tanks

Laboratory– Used to make /

adjust.• Crowns• Bridges• Dentures.

The Dental Office

Sterilization room– Dirty instruments are

cleaned and sterilized.

• Dirty side.• Clean side.

– Storage area for• Material • Supplies

– Neat and clean at all times.

Optional rooms– Dentists private

office– Staff lounge

• Lunchroom

– File / chart room– Patient education

area– Consultation room– X-ray room

Dental Equipment

Dental Chair• Treatment chair• Patient chair

– Will move• Up + down• Recline• Upright • Rotates

– Keeps pt.• Supine• Subsupine• Upright

Dental Equipment

Dental Unit– Where the tools are

located.• Drills• Instruments• Suction

– Rear delivery

– Front delivery

– Side delivery

Dental Equipment

Dental handpieces– Drill

• High speed handpiece– Holds– Friction grip burs

• Low or slow speed handpiece

– Holds – Latch type burs

• Speed of both is controlled by the rheostat

Dental Equipment

Amalgamator– Machine that

‘triturates’ dental material.

– (mechanically mix)

• Amalgam• Glass ionomers• Cements

Cure light• Light cure unit

– Equipment that ‘polymerizes’ dental materials

– (set or harden)

• Composite• Sealants

Dental Equipment

Air-Water syringe• 3-way syringe• Tri-syringe

– Squirts water– Blows air– Sprays a mist

• Needs a tip to work

HVE• High-volume

evacuator

– Evacuates • Fluid • Debris• Aerosol spray (mist)

– Retract

LVE (saliva ejector)• Evacuates fluid

X-ray Equipment

Unit – Takes the x-ray

Control panel– Adjusts the settings

Button– Activates the unit

Processor– Develops the x-ray

View box– Illuminates the x-ray

Dental Stools

Provider stool• Doctor • Hygienist• Assistant

– Thighs parallel w/floor– Feet flat on floor

Assistants Stool– Lumbar support– Foot ring

• 4-6 inches higher than provider

• Feet on foot ring

Sterilization Equipment

Ultrasonic ‘cleaner’– Vibrates debris off of

instruments• Bio-burden

– 3-10 minutes– Cavitation process

• Air bubbles that implode.

– Run w/ lid or cover.

Sterilization Equipment

Autoclave– Sterilizer

• Steam ‘most common’• Distilled water

– Kills all ‘germs’• Heat• Time • Pressure

– Biological monitor

» Ensures sterilization has occurred

Sterilization Equipment

Cold sterile– Sterilize heat

sensitive items / instruments

• 10 hours • Overnight

– High level disinfectant

• Glutaraldehyde

Sterilization Equipment

Autoclave bag– Sterilization pouch

• Holds instruments during the sterilization process.

• Self-sealing• Process indicator

– Color change ‘dot’ / ‘arrow’ on back of bag. (tape)

– Has been ‘heated’– Does NOT indicate

sterile!!!!!

Dental Instruments

Mouth mirror• Dental mirror

– Look at tooth (indirect vision)

– Reflect light

– Retract

Explorer– Check for caries

– Are you NUMB?

Cotton pliers (forcep)– Transfers items to

and from mouth

Instrument Transfer

One handed Two handed

– Utilizing a different type of grasp(s).

• Pen grasp• Modified pen• Palm• Palm-thumb• Reverse-palm

Concepts of dentistry– 4 handed

• 2 providers

– 6 handed• 3 providers

– 8 handed• 4 providers

– Assume all have two arms and hands.

Activity Zones

Right-handed Dr..– Operator Zone

• 7 – 12 o’clock

– Assisting Zone• 2 – 4 o’clock

– Transfer Zone• 4 – 7 o’clock

– Static Zone• 12 – 2 o’clock

– Reverse the zones for L. hand Dr.

Maintaining the Operating Field

Operating Field???????– The tooth!

How do you keep the tooth visible for the doctor????????– Pt. position– Light– Suction– Keep mirror clean– Mouth prop– Retraction

Conclusion

Understanding your instruments, equipment and techniques will make you a better assistant.

This is your intro to the dental world. Please review this material for testing

purposes. Any questions?