Dr Hidayathulla Shaikh

 At the end of the lecture student should be able to –  Define dentist and dental auxiliary  Classify auxiliary  Discuss all non operating auxiliaries  Explain operating auxiliaries.

 The main aim of the dental profession is the highest level of dental health for all the people.  This approach requires good planning on a nation wide basis and efficient utilization of services provided.  Considering many dental diseases are preventable services should be developed based on preventive approach.  And the heart of any services or programs is its manpower.

 Dentist – is a person licensed to practice dentistry under the law of the appropriate state, provision, territory or nation.  Dental Auxiliary – is a person who is given responsibility by the dentist so that he or she can help the dentist in providing dental care.  In Britain dental auxiliary are also called as dental ancillaries.

A) Non operating auxiliary 1) Dental surgery assistant 2) Dental secretary/receptionist 3) Dental laboratory technician 4) Dental health educator B) Operating auxiliaries 1) School dental nurse 2) Dental therapist 3) Dental hygienist 4) Expanded function dental auxiliaries

1) Dental surgery assistant  Is one who assists dentist or dental hygienist in treating patients.  They are not legally permitted to treat patient independently.  A dental assistant may only work under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

Four handed dentistry  This term is given to the art of seating both the dentist and the dental assistant in such a way that both are within easy reach of the patients mouth.  The patient will be in a fully supine position  The assistant hands the dentist particular instruments he needs.  Which results in lesser fatigue and greater efficiency by the dentist.

Duties of Dental assistants  Preparation of the patient for any treatment  Sterilization, care and preparation of the instruments  Preparation and mixing of restorative materials  Taking care of the patient before and after the treatment  Helping in the x – ray related works.

2) Dental secretary / Receptionist  This is a person who assists the dentist with his/her secretarial work and patient reception duties.

3) Dental Laboratory Technician  Is the one who fulfills the prescriptions provided by the dentists regarding extra oral construction and repair of appliances and bridge work.  Also known as dental mechanics, their work is mostly performed in labs.  They receive their training through apprenticeship (person learning craft by instruction).

Duties of dental lab technician  Casting of models from the impression made by the dentists  Fabrication of dentures, splints, orthodontic appliances, inlays, crowns and special trays.

Denturist  Is a term applied to those dental laboratory technicians who are permitted to fabricate dentures directly for the patients without a dentists prescription.  Tasmania, a state in Australia was the first place where technicians were legally permitted to provide prosthetic service.  Denmark uses the term denturist for dental technicians who sits at examination site and prescribe, make and fit removable dentures without supervision.  In the state of Maine, denturists are permitted to take impressions and fit dentures but under the direction of dentists

4) Dental Health Educator  Is a person who uses simple information to instruct people to prevent oral disease and improve health.  In certain countries they are allowed to carry out some preventive procedures.  In Sweden, two weeks of training are given to carry fluoride mouth rinsing programs for school children.  They are however not allowed to take any intra oral procedure.

1) School dental nurse  Is one who is permitted to diagnose dental diseases, plan and carry out certain specified preventive and treatment measures.  Which includes some operating procedures in the treatment of dental caries and periodontal diseases, usually school children.  The dental nurse scheme was established in wellington New Zealand in 1921 due to extensive dental disease in army recruits during world war I.

 It was started by T.A.Hunter, a founder of New Zealand dental association, also pioneer in establishing dental school in New Zealand.  The name of the school where they were first trained were “The Dominion Training School for Dental Nurses”.  The training extends to over a period of 2 years.  Upon completion of training, each school dental nurse Is assigned to a school where she is employed by the government.

 School dental nurse provides regular dental care for children in between per school.  They are accepted as a member of the staff in the same way as teachers in the school  Each school which takes more than 100 children has its own dental clinic.  In New Zealand they are under the supervision of district principal dental officer.

Duties of School Dental Nurse  Oral examination  Prophylaxis  Topical fluoride application  Advice on dietary fluoride supplements  Administration of local anesthesia  Cavity preparation and placement of amalgam filling in both primary and permanent teeth  Pulp capping and extraction of primary teeth  Individual patient instruction in tooth brushing and oral hygiene  Classroom dental health education  Referral of complex cases to nearby dentist.

2) Dental Therapist  One who is permitted to carry out work according to a supervising dentist.  In UK they are known as “New Cross Auxiliaries” initially known as dental dressers.  They are like New Zealand type school dental nurse but are not permitted to diagnose and plan dental care.  The operative procedures they are given are similar to that of school dental nurse.

 They are required to carry out their services under the supervision of registered Dentist.  The training of dental therapist is for a period of 2 years, first graduated in 1962 from Erstwhile training school.  They often take radiographs at the request of supervising dentist, though they cant interpret them.  Apart from Australia and UK, Other countries like Hongkong, Singapore, Vietnam and Tanzania also utilizes their services.