The Professional Dental Assistant Chapter 2 Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 2 Lesson 2.1 Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives  Pronounce, define, and spell the Key Terms.  Discuss the concept of professionalism.  Demonstrate the characteristics of a professional dental assistant.  Identify the purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). (Cont’d) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives (Cont’d)  Demonstrate the personal qualities of a professional dental assistant.  Describe the role and purpose of the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA).  Describe the benefits of membership in the ADAA. (Cont’d) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives ( Cont’d)  Describe the role of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).  Explain where to obtain information about the DANB. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction A highly skilled dental assistant is a vital member of the dental healthcare team. Dental assisting is a career that requires dedication, personal responsibility, integrity, and a commitment to continuing education. (Cont’d) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction (Cont’d) Becoming a dental assistant is more than acquiring the knowledge and developing the skills; it is about becoming a professional person. Professionalism is an attitude that is apparent in everything you say and do, in and out of the dental office. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of a Professional Dental Assistant  Professional appearance – Good grooming – Good health – Appropriate dress Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fig. 2-1 The dental assistant is an important member of the dental healthcare team. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Professional Appearance  Clean, pressed uniform  Clean shoes  Hair pulled back or up and out of the face  Minimal jewelry  Fingernails clean and short  Good hygiene Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fig. 2-2 Dental assistants in professional attire for chairside procedures. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Teamwork Together Together Everyone Everyone Accomplishes Accomplishes More More Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Responsibility and Initiative  Arrive on time and don’t leave early.  Volunteer to help other staff members.  Be willing to learn.  Find things to do.  Never discuss personal problems with patients or other staff members. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review Your Personal Qualities  How do I interact with patients?  Am I friendly? Do I have a pleasant attitude?  Do I listen more than I talk?  Am I courteous?  Am I considerate, respectful, and kind?  Do I control my temper?  Do I try to see the other person’s point of view? (Cont’d) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review Your Personal Qualities (Cont’d)  Am I responsible?  Am I dependable?  Am I attentive to details?  Am I calm in an emergency?  Am I responsible for my own actions?  Do I tend to blame others or find fault with others? Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The American Dental Assistants Association  The ADAA is the organization that represents the profession of dental assisting.  The ADAA was formed in 1924 by Juliette A. Southard.  Southard’s vision was “an educated, efficient dental assistant with her own place in the profession of dentistry.” Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fig. 2-3 Juliette A. Southard, founder of the American Dental Assistants Association. (Courtesy of the ADAA.) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fig. 2-4 The seal of the American Dental Assistants Association. (Courtesy of the ADAA.) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fig. 2-5 Official logo of the Dental Assisting National Board. (Courtesy of the DANB.) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fig. 2-6 Official certificate of a certified dental assistant (CDA). (Courtesy of the DANB.) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Specialty Certification  The DANB also issues specialized certifications, such as:  Certified Dental Practice Management Assistant (CDPMA)  Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. For more information, contact the DANB: For more information, contact the DANB: 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 1880 Chicago, IL (800-FOR-DANB) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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 Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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 Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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) Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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. Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.