The Professional Dental Assistant Standard 17 Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 1

Standard 17 Understand principles of and successfully perform skills related to Dental Assisting, incorporating rubrics from textbooks or clinical standards of practice for the following: A. Identifying teeth using the Federation Dentaire International Numbering System B. Demonstrate brushing and flossing techniques Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 2

Characteristics of a Professional Dental Assistant Professional appearance Good grooming Good health Appropriate dress How do you stay in good health? What does good grooming involve? Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 3

Fig. 2-2 Dental assistants in professional attire for chairside procedures. What is the appropriate attire for a dental assistant? Note that the first dental assistant (on the left) is in scrubs, which is basic acceptable wear at all times. The second one is in full personal protective wear, which is indicated for chairside procedures. The third assistant wears a surgical gown, which is indicated for surgery or hospital dentistry. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 4

Confidentiality Everything that is said in a dental office must remain confidential. Breaches of confidentiality can result in lawsuits against all involved. Never reveal any information about patients. Never discuss patients outside the office. Federal legislation called HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) affects all types of healthcare providers, setting forth the measures that must be taken to ensure that patient privacy is protected while health information is shared among healthcare providers. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 5

Dental Assisting National Board The DANB is the agency responsible for testing dental assistants and issuing the credential of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). To become a CDA, you must take and pass a written examination administered by the DANB. Successful completion of the DANB examination gives an assistant the right to use the credential of CDA, to wear the official certification pin, and to display the certificate. Why would you want to become a CDA? Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 6

Specialty Certification The DANB also issues specialized certifications, such as: Certified Dental Practice Management Assistant (CDPMA) Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) How do the responsibilities of a CDPMA differ from those of a COA? Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 7

The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Registration is a credential issued by some states. It is recognized only by the state that issued the registration. A dental assistant may be a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) as well as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). Each state with registration for dental assistants establishes its own requirements for RDA eligibility, including education or work experience, testing, and continuing education. What are the regulations imposed on dental assistants in our state? (Instructor: check with the dental board/commission in your state, which you can find on the ADA’s web site, www.ada.org.) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 8

Responsibilities of the Chairside Dental Assistant Primary responsibilities in this role include but are not limited to: Seating and preparing for patients Charting Instituting infection-control procedures Mixing and passing dental materials Assisting the dentist during procedures Ensuring patient comfort Exposing and processing radiographs What are the responsibilities of the chairside dental assistant? Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 9

Roles of the Chairside Assistant Pouring and trimming models and performing other laboratory procedures Providing patient education Providing postoperative instructions to patients Overseeing inventory control and ordering dental supplies Ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations What does OSHA stand for? (Occupational Safety and Health Administration.) What is OSHA’s mission? (To ensure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 10

Responsibilities of the Expanded-Function Assistant Delegation of the following functions varies from state to state, depending on the individual state’s dental practice act: Placing dental sealants Taking impressions Fabricating temporary crowns and bridges Placing retraction cord Applying fluoride Applying topical anesthetic Placing and removing dental dams Placing and removing matrices and wedges (Cont’d) Why do some states allow expanded functions for dental assisting? (The program is designed to provide current dental assistants with advanced training, increasing the dentist’s overall productivity.) What are the roles of the expanded-function assistant? Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 11

Responsibilities of the Expanded-Function Assistant (Cont’d) Applying liners, varnishes, and bases Placing, carving, and finishing amalgam or composite restorations Removing sutures Placing and removing periodontal dressings Performing additional functions as specified in the dental practice act of the state in which the dental assistant is employed It is important to be aware of the laws of the state in which you practice. (Tie this in with Chapter 5: Dentistry and the Law and its discussion of state dental boards.) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 12

Numbering System Federal Dentaire Numbering System The Federation Dentaire Internationale Numbering System (FDI). Internationally the two- digit system is used worldwide. Every branch of dentistry uses this system. Each quadrant is assigned a number.The maxillary right quadrant is assigned the number 1, the maxillary left quadrant is assigned the number 2, the mandibular left quadrant is assigned the number 3, and the mandibular right quadrant is assigned the number 4.The teeth within each quadrant are assigned a number from 1 through 8 with 1 being the central incisor and 8 being the third molar

FDI Number System

Proper Brushing Technique

Proper Flossing Technique