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

The Professional The Professional Dental AssistantDental Assistant

Chapter 2Chapter 2

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

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Lesson 2.1Lesson 2.1


Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Pronounce, define, and spell the Key Terms.Pronounce, define, and spell the Key Terms. Discuss the concept of professionalism.Discuss the concept of professionalism. Demonstrate the characteristics of a professional Demonstrate the characteristics of a professional

dental assistant.dental assistant. Identify the purpose of the Health Insurance Identify the purpose of the Health Insurance

Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).(HIPAA).

(Cont’d)(Cont’d)


Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives(Cont’d)(Cont’d)

Demonstrate the personal qualities of a Demonstrate the personal qualities of a professional dental assistant.professional dental assistant.

Describe the role and purpose of the Describe the role and purpose of the American Dental Assistants Association American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA).(ADAA).

Describe the benefits of membership in Describe the benefits of membership in the ADAA.the ADAA.



Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

((Cont’d)Cont’d)

Describe the role of the Dental Assisting Describe the role of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).National Board (DANB).

Explain where to obtain information about the Explain where to obtain information about the DANB.DANB.


IntroductionIntroduction

A highly skilled dental assistant A highly skilled dental assistant

is a vital member of the dental healthcare team. is a vital member of the dental healthcare team.

Dental assisting is a career that requires Dental assisting is a career that requires

dedication, personal responsibility, integrity, and dedication, personal responsibility, integrity, and

a commitment to continuing education. a commitment to continuing education.



IntroductionIntroduction(Cont’d)(Cont’d) Becoming a dental assistant is more than acquiring Becoming a dental assistant is more than acquiring

the knowledge and developing the knowledge and developing

the skills; it is about becoming the skills; it is about becoming

a a professional person.professional person.

Professionalism is an attitude that is apparent in Professionalism is an attitude that is apparent in

everything you say and do, in and everything you say and do, in and

out of the dental office.out of the dental office.


Characteristics of a Characteristics of a Professional Dental AssistantProfessional Dental Assistant

Professional appearanceProfessional appearance– Good groomingGood grooming– Good healthGood health– Appropriate dressAppropriate dress


Fig. 2-1 The dental assistant is an important member Fig. 2-1 The dental assistant is an important member of the dental healthcare team.of the dental healthcare team.


Professional AppearanceProfessional Appearance Clean, pressed uniformClean, pressed uniform Clean shoesClean shoes Hair pulled back or up and out of the faceHair pulled back or up and out of the face Minimal jewelryMinimal jewelry Fingernails clean and shortFingernails clean and short Good hygieneGood hygiene


Fig. 2-2 Dental assistants in professional Fig. 2-2 Dental assistants in professional attire for chairside procedures.attire for chairside procedures.


TeamworkTeamwork

TTogetherogether

EEveryoneveryone

AAccomplishesccomplishes

MMoreore


Responsibility and InitiativeResponsibility and Initiative

Arrive on time and don’t leave early.Arrive on time and don’t leave early. Volunteer to help other staff members.Volunteer to help other staff members. Be willing to learn.Be willing to learn. Find things to do.Find things to do. Never discuss personal problems with Never discuss personal problems with

patients or other staff members.patients or other staff members.


ConfidentialityConfidentiality

Everything that is said in a dental office must Everything that is said in a dental office must remain confidential.remain confidential.

Breaches of confidentiality can result in Breaches of confidentiality can result in lawsuits against all involved.lawsuits against all involved.

Never reveal any information about patients.Never reveal any information about patients. Never discuss patients outside the office.Never discuss patients outside the office.


Review Your Personal QualitiesReview Your Personal Qualities

How do I interact with patients?How do I interact with patients? Am I friendly? Do I have a pleasant attitude?Am I friendly? Do I have a pleasant attitude? Do I listen more than I talk?Do I listen more than I talk? Am I courteous?Am I courteous? Am I considerate, respectful, and kind?Am I considerate, respectful, and kind? Do I control my temper?Do I control my temper? Do I try to see the other person’s point of view?Do I try to see the other person’s point of view?(Cont’d)(Cont’d)


Review Your Personal QualitiesReview Your Personal Qualities


Am I responsible?Am I responsible? Am I dependable?Am I dependable? Am I attentive to details?Am I attentive to details? Am I calm in an emergency?Am I calm in an emergency? Am I responsible for my own actions?Am I responsible for my own actions? Do I tend to blame others or find fault with others?Do I tend to blame others or find fault with others?


The American Dental The American Dental Assistants AssociationAssistants Association

The ADAA is the organization that represents The ADAA is the organization that represents the profession of dental assisting.the profession of dental assisting.

The ADAA was formed in 1924 by Juliette A. The ADAA was formed in 1924 by Juliette A. Southard. Southard.

Southard’s vision was “an educated, efficient Southard’s vision was “an educated, efficient dental assistant with her own place in the dental assistant with her own place in the profession of dentistry.”profession of dentistry.”


Fig. 2-3 Juliette A. Southard, founder of the Fig. 2-3 Juliette A. Southard, founder of the American Dental Assistants Association. American Dental Assistants Association.

(Courtesy of the ADAA.)(Courtesy of the ADAA.)


Fig. 2-4 The seal of the American Dental Fig. 2-4 The seal of the American Dental Assistants Association.Assistants Association.

(Courtesy of the ADAA.)(Courtesy of the ADAA.)


Dental Assisting National BoardDental Assisting National Board

The DANB is the agency responsible for testing The DANB is the agency responsible for testing dental assistants and issuing the credential of dental assistants and issuing the credential of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).

To become a CDA, you must take and pass a To become a CDA, you must take and pass a written examination administered by the DANB. written examination administered by the DANB.

Successful completion of the DANB examination Successful completion of the DANB examination gives an assistant the right to use the credential gives an assistant the right to use the credential of CDA, to wear the official certification pin, and of CDA, to wear the official certification pin, and to display the certificate. to display the certificate.


Fig. 2-5 Official logo of the Dental Assisting National Board.Fig. 2-5 Official logo of the Dental Assisting National Board.(Courtesy of the DANB.)(Courtesy of the DANB.)


Fig. 2-6 Official certificate of a certified dental assistant (CDA).Fig. 2-6 Official certificate of a certified dental assistant (CDA).

(Courtesy of the DANB.)(Courtesy of the DANB.)


Specialty CertificationSpecialty Certification

The DANB also issues specialized The DANB also issues specialized certifications, such as: certifications, such as: Certified Dental Practice Management Assistant Certified Dental Practice Management Assistant

(CDPMA)(CDPMA) Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)


Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.

For more information, contact the For more information, contact the DANB:DANB:

676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 1880676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 1880Chicago, IL 60611Chicago, IL 60611800-367-3262 (800-FOR-DANB)800-367-3262 (800-FOR-DANB)


The Registered Dental Assistant The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)(RDA)

Registration is a credential issued by some Registration is a credential issued by some states.states. It is recognized only by the state that issued the It is recognized only by the state that issued the

registration. registration. A dental assistant may be a Registered Dental A dental assistant may be a Registered Dental

Assistant (RDA) as well as a Certified Dental Assistant (RDA) as well as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). Assistant (CDA).

Each state with registration for dental assistants Each state with registration for dental assistants establishes its own requirements for RDA establishes its own requirements for RDA eligibility, including education or work experience, eligibility, including education or work experience, testing, and continuing education.testing, and continuing education.


Responsibilities of the Responsibilities of the Chairside Dental Assistant Chairside Dental Assistant

Primary responsibilities in this role include but Primary responsibilities in this role include but are not limited to:are not limited to: Seating and preparing for patientsSeating and preparing for patients ChartingCharting Instituting infection-control proceduresInstituting infection-control procedures Mixing and passing dental materialsMixing and passing dental materials Assisting the dentist during proceduresAssisting the dentist during procedures Ensuring patient comfortEnsuring patient comfort Exposing and processing radiographsExposing and processing radiographs


Roles of the Chairside Assistant Roles of the Chairside Assistant

Pouring and trimming models and Pouring and trimming models and performing other laboratory proceduresperforming other laboratory procedures

Providing patient educationProviding patient education Providing postoperative instructions to Providing postoperative instructions to

patientspatients Overseeing inventory control and ordering Overseeing inventory control and ordering

dental suppliesdental supplies Ensuring compliance with OSHA Ensuring compliance with OSHA

regulationsregulations


Responsibilities of the Responsibilities of the Expanded-Function AssistantExpanded-Function Assistant

Delegation of the following functions varies from Delegation of the following functions varies from state to state, depending on the individual state’s state to state, depending on the individual state’s dental practice act:dental practice act: Placing dental sealantsPlacing dental sealants Taking impressionsTaking impressions Fabricating temporary crowns and bridgesFabricating temporary crowns and bridges Placing retraction cordPlacing retraction cord Applying fluorideApplying fluoride Applying topical anestheticApplying topical anesthetic Placing and removing dental damsPlacing and removing dental dams Placing and removing matrices and wedgesPlacing and removing matrices and wedges(Cont’d)(Cont’d)


Responsibilities of the Expanded-Responsibilities of the Expanded-Function Assistant Function Assistant


Applying liners, varnishes, and basesApplying liners, varnishes, and bases Placing, carving, and finishing amalgam or Placing, carving, and finishing amalgam or

composite restorationscomposite restorations Removing suturesRemoving sutures Placing and removing periodontal dressingsPlacing and removing periodontal dressings Performing additional functions as specified in the Performing additional functions as specified in the

dental practice act of the state in which the dental dental practice act of the state in which the dental assistant is employed assistant is employed It is important to be aware of the laws of the state in It is important to be aware of the laws of the state in

which you practice.which you practice.


Documents

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