THE DENTAL TEAM

Dental Assistants are extremely important members of the dental

healthcare team

ALL THE EFFORTS OF THE DENTAL TEAM ARE

PATIENT CENTERED

The Leader of the dental team is the :

DENTIST

What is a Dentist?

Someone who’s properly licensed and registered to practice dentistry

Graduated of a recognized college or a university

The only member of the dental team qualified to make a diagnosis and decide upon appropriate treatment strategies

All other members ot the dental team are called :

DENTAL AUXILIARIES

Dental Auxiliary

A person who’s trained to give help and support to the dentist

Dental Auxiliaries include :

Dental nurse / assistants

Dental hygienists

Dental therapists/ New Zealand dental nurse

Dental laboratory technicians

Dental receptionists

Dental radiography technicians

Dental photographers

The Dental Team WHO 1973

ALL AUXILIARIES WORK UNDER THE DIRECT OR INDIRECT SUPERVISION OF A DENTIST

Operating Auxiliaries

The dental hygienist:

-Perform oral prophylaxis treatment

-Applies fluoride and other tx to the teeth or gum

-Perform fissure sealing procedures

-Gives preventive advice and education to the pt

Operating Auxiliaries

The Dental Therapist(New Zealand type dental nurse)

-Extracts deciduous teeth-Fills teeth of children

-Applies fluoride to the teeth-Performs fissure sealing procedures

-Gives preventive advice & education to the pt

Non-Operating Auxiliaries

The Dental Assistant:

-Prepares & cares for the operatory-Prepares & cares for instruments, equipment &

materials-Mixes materials

-Performs “four-handed” instrument exchange and other procedures at the chairside

-Cares for the pt’s comfort & safety-Cares for all records & radiograph

-Expanded function

Non-Operating Auxiliaries

The Dental Receptionist/Booking Clerk:

-Maintains the appointment system

-Operates the recall system

-Organizes the systematic storage & retrieval of records & radiograph

--Receives & cares for the pt before & after the operatory--Answers telephone & direct inquiries

--Maintains the accounting system & collects money

Non-Operating Auxiliaries

The Dental technician:

Fabricates in the lab all appliances fixed & removable prescribed by the dentists for the pt

Non-Operating Auxiliaries

The Dental Equipment Maintenance Technician:

Maintains all equipment in safe working order

The dental assistant must be a

team player

The dental assistant responsibilities to the dental team:

1 -Should value all members of the dental team

2 -Should interact & communicate with all members of the team in a professional yet friendly manner, for the benefit of all including the pt

3 -Should be loyal & supportive to all members of the dental team

4 -Should try to be a good representative of her team

TEAMWORK (is the key)

BY WOKING HAND IN HAND THE DENTAL TEAM WILL BE STRONG & EFFECTIVE