1. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. The Dental Office Chapter 32

2. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction Patients often judge the quality of care by the appearance of the dental office!

3. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Office Environment Temperature –Reception area 72° F –Clinical area 68°-70° F –Air exchange should remain constant Lighting –Reception area: table and floor lamps –Business area: fluorescent lighting –Clinical area: fluorescent lighting and clinical lighting

4. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Office Environment-cont’d Wall and Floor Coverings –Use colors that are calming. –Floor covering Durable carpet in reception, business, and private office areas. Vinyl in clinical and laboratory areas. Traffic Control –Smooth transition to all areas of the office. –Separate areas to business, clinical, and private.

5. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Office Environment-cont’d Sound Control –Minimize sound of the dental equipment. –Music provides distraction for dental sounds. Privacy –Administrative area –Dentist’s office –Staff lounge

6. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Specific Areas of the Dental Office Reception Area Administrative/Business Office Clinical Treatment Area Sterilization Center Dental Laboratory Dentist’s Private Office Dental Staff Lounge

7. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Reception Area Patients are received, greeted pleasantly, and made to feel welcome. NOT A WAITING ROOM! Things to remember: –Keep area clean. –Ensure adequate seating. –Maintain up-to-date reading material. –Provide place for coats and umbrellas. –Offer a children's corner.

8. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-1 Reception area (From Young A, Procter D: Kinn’s the medical assistant: an applied learning approach, ed 9, St. Louis, 2003, Saunders.)

9. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Administrative Area Hub for the management or the business side of the practice. Items include: –Desk –Telephone systems –Computers –Photocopier –Fax machine –Storage area for patient records

10. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-4 The administrative area

11. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Treatment Area Also referred to as the dental operatory; all clinical treatment is provided here. Design Goal: –Provide comfort and mobility for the dental team. –Provide privacy and comfort for the dental patient. –Enhancement in the use of dental equipment through time management and efficient techniques.

12. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-5 Treatment area (Courtesy A-dec.)

13. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Patient Dental Chair Specific Features –Should provide full support to knees, bottom, back and head –Comfortable and movable chair arms –Easy to maintain and clean –Controls for adjusting the patient Upright Position: back of the chair is upright at a 90-degree angle Supine Position: patient is lying down so that the patient's head and knees will be at approximately the same level. Subsupine Position: patient's head is lower than the feet.

14. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-6 Patient dental chair (Courtesy A-dec.)

15. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Operator’s Stool Type of stool designed to support the body for a prolonged period in a fixed muscular activity. Specific Features –Large seat and back –Easily adjustable for back support –Easy to lower and raise seat –Casters to move around patient

16. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Assistant’s Stool Type of stool that must provide stability, mobility, and comfort, allowing a proper, fatigue-reducing posture. Specific Features –Twists and turns to reach countertops and shelves –Provides an adjustable foot platform or foot ring –Firm, secure cushioning in the seat –Abdominal bar positioned for support –Casters to move the chair easily

17. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-11 Dental assistants and operator’s stool (Courtesy A-dec.)

18. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Unit Provides the necessary electrical and air-operated mechanics to the hoses, attachments, and working parts of the unit. Dental Unit Delivery Systems –Front Delivery: Positioned over the patient's lap. –Side Delivery: Positioned at either side of the patient's chair. –Rear Delivery: Positioned behind the dental chair.

19. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-12 Dental unit (Courtesy A-dec.)

20. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Additional Clinical Equipment Rheostat –A foot-controlled device placed on the floor near the operator to control the function of the dental handpieces Dental unit waterlines –Supplies water through hoses or water lines into the dental handpieces Air-water syringe –Hand-held instrument attached to the dental unit –Functions Delivers a stream of water Delivers a stream of air Delivers a combined spray of air and water

21. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Additional Clinical Equipment-cont’d Operating Light –Used to illuminate the oral cavity during a dental procedure Oral Evacuation System –A means for removing water, saliva, blood, and other fragments during a dental procedure –Types Saliva ejector High-volume evacuator (HVE)

22. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Additional Clinical Equipment-cont’d Disposable Traps –Filtering mechanisms for the saliva ejector and high-volume evacuator Curing Light –Used to “harden” or light-cure dental materials Amalgamator –Used to triturate dental materials by vigorously shaking the ingredients

23. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Additional Clinical Equipment-cont’d Central Vacuum Compressor –Provides the suction needed for the oral evacuation systems Central Air Compressor –Provides compressed air for the air-water syringe and air-driven handpieces

24. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Care of Clinical Areas Morning Routine –Arrive 30 minutes before the first scheduled patient of the day. –Turn on the master switches for the central air compressor and vacuum units. –Ready the dental treatment rooms for patient care. –Recheck the appointment schedule. –Set up the treatment room for the first patient.

25. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Care of Clinical Areas Evening Routine –Complete the operatory room exposure control clean-up and preparation protocols. –Turn off all equipment. –Ensure that treatment rooms are adequately stocked for the next day. –Post appointment schedules for the next workday. –Ensure that instruments, patient records, and laboratory work are ready for the next day. –Ensure that sterilization center has been cleaned. –Ensure that treatment rooms are ready for use. –Place any soiled protective clothing in the appropriate container.

26. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Central Sterilization Specific area for: –Cleaning, sterilizing, and storage of instruments –Divided into “contaminated area”/“clean area” –Provides extra storage for supplies –Should be kept organized and clean at all times

27. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Laboratory Organized area away from patient care for dentist and dental assistant to perform laboratory procedures. Specific items found: –Workbenches –Storage cabinets –Model trimmer –Dental lathe –Laboratory materials

28. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Dentist’s Private Office For personal use only by the dentist. Can also be used as a consultation room with patients. Specific items found: –Desk –Telephone –Computer –Extra chairs

29. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Staff Lounge Designated private area for clinical and business staff Specific items found: –Table and chairs –Small refrigerator –Microwave –Locker or locked cabinet for personal belongings –Coffee/food