The Dental Healthcare Team Chapter 3 Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

The Dental The Dental Healthcare TeamHealthcare Team

Chapter 3Chapter 3

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

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Lesson 3.1Lesson 3.1


Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Pronounce, define, and spell the Key Terms.Pronounce, define, and spell the Key Terms. Name the members of the dental healthcare Name the members of the dental healthcare

team and describe their roles.team and describe their roles. Name and describe each of the recognized Name and describe each of the recognized

dental specialties.dental specialties. Describe the various roles and Describe the various roles and

responsibilities of a dental assistant.responsibilities of a dental assistant.(Cont’d)(Cont’d)


Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

(Cont’d)(Cont’d)

Identify the minimal educational requirements Identify the minimal educational requirements for each member of the dental healthcare for each member of the dental healthcare team.team.

Describe the supportive services provided by Describe the supportive services provided by other members of the dental healthcare team.other members of the dental healthcare team.


IntroductionIntroductionA team is people working together for a A team is people working together for a

common purpose. In dentistry, the purpose, or common purpose. In dentistry, the purpose, or

mission, of the team is to provide quality oral mission, of the team is to provide quality oral

health care for the people of the community.health care for the people of the community.

The dentist is legally responsible for the care of The dentist is legally responsible for the care of

the patient and the supervision of all other the patient and the supervision of all other

members of the team.members of the team.


Members of the Dental Healthcare Members of the Dental Healthcare TeamTeam

Dentist (general/specialist)Dentist (general/specialist) Dental laboratory technicianDental laboratory technician Dental hygienistDental hygienist Dental assistantDental assistant

Trained on the jobTrained on the job Formally educatedFormally educated


The DentistThe Dentist

Before going into practice, all dentists must Before going into practice, all dentists must pass a written national board examination. pass a written national board examination.

A dentist is required to take a clinical board A dentist is required to take a clinical board examination in the state in which he or she examination in the state in which he or she chooses to practice.chooses to practice.

Dentists have a variety of practice options Dentists have a variety of practice options available to them.available to them.

Most dentists are members of their Most dentists are members of their professional organization, the American professional organization, the American Dental Association (ADA).Dental Association (ADA).


Education and Certification Education and Certification of the General Dentistof the General Dentist

A college degree (4-year predental A college degree (4-year predental education)education)

Undergraduate dental education (4 years, Undergraduate dental education (4 years, with emphasis on basic sciences the first 2 with emphasis on basic sciences the first 2 years and clinical sciences the last 2 years)years and clinical sciences the last 2 years)

Passage of a written national examination Passage of a written national examination and a clinical state board exam before and a clinical state board exam before permission to practice is grantedpermission to practice is granted


Education of the Dental SpecialistEducation of the Dental Specialist

Education as a general dentistEducation as a general dentist Master’s program in the specialty ranging Master’s program in the specialty ranging

from 2 to 6 years, depending on the area of from 2 to 6 years, depending on the area of specialtyspecialty

In some programs, a PhD for another In some programs, a PhD for another 2 years of education and postdoctoral 2 years of education and postdoctoral educationeducation


Dental SpecialtiesDental Specialties

Dental public health Dental public health EndodonticsEndodontics Oral and maxillofacial radiologyOral and maxillofacial radiology Oral and maxillofacial surgeryOral and maxillofacial surgery Oral pathologyOral pathology OrthodonticsOrthodontics Pediatric dentistryPediatric dentistry PeriodonticsPeriodontics ProsthodonticsProsthodontics


The Dental HygienistThe Dental Hygienist

The dental hygienist (RDH) is a licensed The dental hygienist (RDH) is a licensed professional with specialized clinical and professional with specialized clinical and educational skills.educational skills.

The minimal education required for a dental The minimal education required for a dental hygienist is two academic years of college hygienist is two academic years of college study in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene study in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program. Dental hygiene is also offered in program. Dental hygiene is also offered in bachelor’s and master's programs.bachelor’s and master's programs.

The RDH is required to work under the The RDH is required to work under the supervision of a licensed dentist. supervision of a licensed dentist.


Fig. 3-1 Dental hygienist performing oral prophylaxis.Fig. 3-1 Dental hygienist performing oral prophylaxis.


The Dental AssistantThe Dental Assistant

The duties assigned to the dental assistant The duties assigned to the dental assistant are determined by the regulations of the are determined by the regulations of the dental practice act of the state in which he or dental practice act of the state in which he or she practices.she practices.

The dental assistant is trained to perform The dental assistant is trained to perform many activities that are not required of the many activities that are not required of the dentist.dentist.

The educational program for a dental The educational program for a dental assistant must include didactic, laboratory, assistant must include didactic, laboratory, and clinical content. and clinical content.


Roles of the Dental AssistantRoles of the Dental Assistant

Clinical dental assistants are directly involved Clinical dental assistants are directly involved in patient care in the following roles: in patient care in the following roles: Chairside assistant Chairside assistant Circulating assistant Circulating assistant Sterilization assistantSterilization assistant


Fig. 3-2 Dentist and chairside dental assistant working Fig. 3-2 Dentist and chairside dental assistant working together.together.


Fig. 3-3 Chairside dental assistant supported by a Fig. 3-3 Chairside dental assistant supported by a circulating dental assistant.circulating dental assistant.


Fig. 3-5 The sterilization assistant is an important member of the team.Fig. 3-5 The sterilization assistant is an important member of the team.


Fig. 3-6 Expanded-function dental assistant removing Fig. 3-6 Expanded-function dental assistant removing excess cement. excess cement.

(Courtesy of Pamela Landry, RDA.)(Courtesy of Pamela Landry, RDA.)


Fig. 3-7 The patient is greeted by the business assistant Fig. 3-7 The patient is greeted by the business assistant before meeting the dental hygienist. before meeting the dental hygienist.

(Courtesy of Dr. Peter Pang, Sonoma, Calif.)(Courtesy of Dr. Peter Pang, Sonoma, Calif.)


The Dental Laboratory TechnicianThe Dental Laboratory Technician

The dental laboratory technician may legally The dental laboratory technician may legally perform only those tasks specified in the perform only those tasks specified in the written prescription of the dentist.written prescription of the dentist.

Individuals who wish to become a certified Individuals who wish to become a certified dental technician (CDT) must pass a written dental technician (CDT) must pass a written examination.examination.

Dental technicians may be members of their Dental technicians may be members of their professional organization, the American Dental professional organization, the American Dental Laboratory Technician Association (ADLTA).Laboratory Technician Association (ADLTA).



Education of the Dental Laboratory Education of the Dental Laboratory TechnicianTechnician


A two-year educational program (voluntary) is A two-year educational program (voluntary) is often undertaken.often undertaken.

The prospective technician must pass a The prospective technician must pass a national examination to earn the credential of national examination to earn the credential of CDT.CDT.

Most lab technicians undergo apprenticeship Most lab technicians undergo apprenticeship training.training.


Fig. 3-8 Dental laboratory technicians working in a large Fig. 3-8 Dental laboratory technicians working in a large commercial dental laboratory.commercial dental laboratory.


Fig. 3-9 Laboratory dental cases are stored in work pans. The Fig. 3-9 Laboratory dental cases are stored in work pans. The

dentist’s written laboratory prescription is posted on the work pan.dentist’s written laboratory prescription is posted on the work pan.


Supporting ServicesSupporting Services

The dental-supply person is a representative from a The dental-supply person is a representative from a dental-supply company who routinely calls on dental dental-supply company who routinely calls on dental offices.offices.

The detail person is a representative of a specific The detail person is a representative of a specific company who visits dental offices to provide the company who visits dental offices to provide the dentist with information concerning that company's dentist with information concerning that company's product.product.

The dental-equipment technician is a specialist who The dental-equipment technician is a specialist who installs and provides service for and repairs of dental installs and provides service for and repairs of dental equipment. This service may be provided under a equipment. This service may be provided under a maintenance contract or on an as-needed basis.maintenance contract or on an as-needed basis.


Dental Spas Offer a Variety of Dental Spas Offer a Variety of AmenitiesAmenities

Soothing and peaceful atmosphereSoothing and peaceful atmosphere Scented candles Scented candles Warm paraffin hand bathsWarm paraffin hand baths Massages Massages Soft fleece blanketsSoft fleece blankets Large selection of videosLarge selection of videos Warm lemon-scented towels after a Warm lemon-scented towels after a

procedure is completeprocedure is complete


The Future for Allied Dental PersonnelThe Future for Allied Dental Personnel

The Bureau of Health Professions has projected that the number of jobs for allied dental personnel will increase at a rate twice

that of jobs for dentists in the near term.


Documents

The Dental Healthcare Team Chapter 3 Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved