Unit 17 Dental Assistant Skills

17:1 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 Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2

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 Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 7

Identifying the Surfaces of the Teeth (continued) Point angles of teeth Anterior teeth line angles and point angles Posterior teeth line angles and point angles Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 13

17:5 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 Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 14

Charting Conditions of the Teeth (continued) Geometric diagrams Surfaces of teeth Charting guidelines Common symbols for anatomic or geometric diagrams Recording treatments or services Common abbreviations used for services rendered Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 15

17:6 Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment Follow manufacturer s recommendations for operation of equipment Infection control Dental light Air compressor Oral evacuation system or central vacuum system Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 16

Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment (continued) Assistant s cart Tri-flow or air-water syringe Saliva ejector High-velocity oral evacuator Cuspidor Doctor s cart Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 17

Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment (continued) Low-speed handpiece (conventionalspeed) High-speed handpiece (ultraspeed) Maintenance of low-speed and high-speed handpieces Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 18

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 Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 19

17:7 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 Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 20

17:8 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 Chair controls Cleaning chair Principles of seating patient in dental chair Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 21

17:9 Demonstrating Brushing and Flossing Techniques Using correct brushing and flossing techniques is essential to prevent dental disease May be responsible for teaching patients Correct brushing and flossing is one method of prophylactic care Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 22

Demonstrating Brushing and Flossing Techniques (continued) Purposes Demonstrations Bass method Five surfaces on each tooth Toothbrushes Toothpastes or dentifrices Dental floss Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 23

Summary Correct brushing and flossing provides prophylactic care Give thorough explanation to all patients Make sure patient understands procedures Asking patient to demonstrate procedures is a good way to determine if all points have been learned Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 24

17:10 Taking Impressions Impression and Pouring Molds 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 Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 25

Alginate Irreversible hydrocolloid impression material Advantages Disadvantages Alginate powder Basic principles for taking alginate impression Storage of alginate material Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 26

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 Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 27

Rubber Base or Polysulfide (continued) Models should be poured promptly if possible Disadvantages Basic principles of preparing rubber base Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 28

Polysiloxane or Polyvinylsiloxane Improved silicone material Available in different material qualities Supplied in two tubes Advantages Disadvantages Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 29

Models or Casts Positive reproduction of the arches or teeth that is created from the negative impression Serves as basis for construction Gypsum products Plaster Stone Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 30

17:11 Making Custom Trays Impression trays that are made to fit patient s mouth Materials used to produce trays Acrylic resins difficult to remove from mixing containers Basic principles for making custom trays Always observe standard precautions Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 32

17:12 Maintaining and Loading an Anesthetic Aspirating Syringe Types of anesthesia Topical anesthesia Types of injections for local anesthetics Medications Carpules Aspirating syringe Observe standard precautions Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 33

17:13 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 Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 34

17:14 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 Amalgams and composites Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 35

Summary Read manufacturer s instructions before preparing any restorative materials Take care to avoid contamination of materials in containers Observe standard precautions while performing any dental procedure Copyright 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 36