1. THE DENTAL TEAM

2. Dental Assistants are extremely important members of the dental healthcare team

3. ALL THE EFFORTS OF THE DENTAL TEAM ARE PATIENT CENTERED

4. The Leader of the dental team is the : DENTIST

5. 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

6. All other members ot the dental team are called : DENTAL AUXILIARIES

7. Dental Auxiliary A person who’s trained to give help and support to the dentist

8. Dental Auxiliaries include: Dental nurse / assistants Dental hygienists Dental therapists/ New Zealand dental nurse Dental laboratory technicians Dental receptionists Dental radiography technicians Dental photographers

9. The Dental Team WHO 1973

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Non-Operating Auxiliaries The Dental technician: Fabricates in the lab all appliances fixed & removable prescribed by the dentists for the pt

16. Non-Operating Auxiliaries The Dental Equipment Maintenance Technician: Maintains all equipment in safe working order

17. The dental assistant must be a team player

18. 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

19. TEAMWORK (is the key) BY WOKING HAND IN HAND THE DENTAL TEAM WILL BE STRONG & EFFECTIVE