Dental

assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory

duties. They make patients comfortable in the dental chair and prepare them for treatment. During dental procedures, assistants work alongside the dentist to provide assistance. They hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients' mouths dry and clear by using suction hoses or other devices. They also instruct patients on postoperative and general oral healthcare. Dental assistants may prepare materials for impressions and restorations, and process dental x rays as directed by a dentist

 They

also may remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums or cavitypreventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place dental dams to isolate teeth for treatment. They sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare and lay out the instruments and materials required to treat each patient, and obtain and update patients' dental records. Dental assistants with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary crowns. Those with office duties schedule and confirm appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills, receive payments, and order dental supplies and materials. Dental assistants must work closely with, and under the supervision of, dentists. Dental assistants must work closely with, and under the supervision of, dentists. dental assistants should not be confused with dental hygienists, who are licensed to perform a different set of clinical tasks.

 Dental

assistants work in a welllighted, clean environment. Their work area is usually near the dental chair so that they can arrange instruments, materials, and medication and hand them to the dentist when needed. They must wear gloves, masks, eyewear, and protective clothing to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.

routine must be established in the proper securing of the spaces. following was used at the U.S. Naval training Center, Farragut, Idaho and is offered as a skeleton plan from which the reader may develop his own procedure.

The

A.) DENTAL CHAIR

B.) DENTAL UNIT

Clean

and polish the upholstered parts, including crevices Put on clean headrest covers Bring the chair to lowest and basic position
The

Clean

and polish with non abrasive material. The waste trap in cuspid or should be empty and clean.

illuminator, hand instruments, handpiece, waste receptacle, sterilizers, etc., all must be cleaned and readied for the next day.

ROOM IN GENERAL

Clean towels, guaze and cotton rolls should be ready for the next day, Shades are lowered to a point halfway between the top and button of windows Put off the heat the heat radiators, electric fans, and air conditioner. Doors and windows should be locked.

Room in General
The

Dental Clinic, Dental X-ray and cabinet must be cleaned. All electric gas, adequate switches must be off. Keys to all equipment to be in proper places. Towels and tissue paper for the hand, the face, etc. should be ready for the next day.

Reception Room and Appointment Desk

Furniture

and fixtures should be cleaned and polish. Drinking fountain should be clean. Typewriter should be covered after use. The time of the clock must be set. Ashtrays should be emptied and cleaned. Keep lavatories clean. soap receptacles must be cleaned and have new soap ready for the next day.

Prosthetic Laboratory
Put

off the burn- furnaces, water baths, vacular, boil out tanks, lathes and dental engine. Put off and polish the lathe blowers. Close the air and gas valves Check and fill the plastic artificial stone and investment bin. Clean the boil-out tank and remove the wax residue Clean and store the crucible rings and flask Tools, mounted stones and other small gadgets should be cleaned and returned to instruments drawer. Release tension on casting machine Eliminates waxes from casting ovens

Emergency Measures
Assistant

should set up emergency kit or cabinet. The drugs, indication, adult dosage, and routes of administration.