1. Dental Assistant Skills
Chapter 18
Dental Assistant Skills

2. Career Highlights
Dental assistants are valuable members of the dental health care field
Education requirements
Certification obtained through the Dental Assisting National Board
Duties performed follow state regulations
Required skills

3. 18:1 Identifying the Structures and Tissues of a Tooth
Odontology: study of the anatomy, growth, and diseases of the teeth
Teeth are accessory organs of the digestive tract
Aid in mastication (chewing) of food

4. Two Sets of Teeth Dentitions: sets of teeth
Primary or deciduous dentition
Permanent or succedaneous dentition

5. The Tooth Crown—visible in the mouth Root—below the gum line
Cervix—where the crown meets the root
Apex—tip of the root

6. Tissues of the Tooth Enamel—covers the crown
Cementum—covers the outside of the root
Dentin—located under the enamel and cementum of the root
Pulp—in the inner area of the tooth

7. Periodontium Structures that surround and support teeth
Alveolar process or ridge—surrounds the roots and has sockets
Periodontal ligament—supports the tooth in the socket
Gingiva or gums—surrounds the cervix

8. Dental Care Disease can affect the teeth and supporting structures
Preventing and treating dental disease
Preserving and prolonging the life of the teeth

9. 18:2 Identifying the Teeth
Incisors—front and center of the mouth
Cuspids—at angles of lips
Bicuspids—before the molars
Molars—back of the mouth

10. Primary or Deciduous Teeth
First set of teeth—called “baby” teeth
20 teeth
Naming of teeth

11. Permanent or Succedaneous Teeth
Second or permanent set of teeth
32 teeth
Naming of teeth

12. 18:3 Identifying Teeth Using Numbering Systems
Universal National Numbering System
Identified by using letters A to T
Federation Dentaire International System
Two-digit code and 4 quadrants

13. 18:4 Identifying the Surfaces of the Teeth
Anterior (toward the front) teeth
Posterior (toward the back) teeth
Crown surfaces
Suggested abbreviations
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14. Identifying the Surfaces of the Teeth (continued)
Line angles—form where two crown surfaces meet
Point angles—form where three crown surfaces meet
Abbreviations for line angles and point angles of anterior teeth
Abbreviations for line angles and point angles of posterior teeth

15. 18:5 Charting Conditions of the Teeth
Conditions of the teeth are often charted on dental charts or insurance forms
Forms, symbols used, abbreviations, and other factors vary
Dental charts are legal records
Dental charts
Anatomic diagrams
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16. Charting Conditions of the Teeth (continued)
Geometric diagrams
Surfaces of teeth
Charting guidelines
Common symbols for anatomic or geometric diagrams
Recording treatments or services
Use of computerized dental charting

17. 18:6 Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for operation of equipment
Infection control
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Covers for dental equipment
(continues)

18. Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment (continued)
Dental light
Dental chair
Air compressor
Oral-evacuation system
Assistant’s cart
Tri-flow or air-water syringe
Saliva ejector
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19. Operating and Maintaining Dental Equipment (continued)
High-velocity oral evacuator
Cuspidor
Doctor’s cart
Low-speed hand piece
Contra angle for cutting and polishing
Prophylaxis angle for holding cups, etc.
High-speed handpiece (ultraspeed)

20. Summary
Responsibilities for care and maintenance of dental equipment will vary
Dental assistant should learn exactly what maintenance is expected as a part of the job
Read specific manufacturer’s instructions for equipment you will handle

21. 18:7 Identifying Dental Instruments and Preparing Dental Trays
Methods for setting up dental trays
Organization of trays
Main parts of a dental hand instrument
Standard instruments
Guidelines for preparing dental trays
Examples of tray set-ups
Basic principles for preparing dental trays

22. 18:8 Positioning a Patient in the Dental Chair
Designed to position patient comfortably while providing doctor and assistant easy access to oral cavity
Headrests
Supine position
Explanation of all chair movements
Protective drape and safety glasses
Positioning of light
Principles of seating patient in dental chair

23. 18:9 Demonstrating Brushing and Flossing Techniques
Using correct brushing and flossing techniques is essential in prevention of dental disease
May be responsible for teaching patients
Correct brushing and flossing is one method of prophylactic care
(continues)

24. Demonstrating Brushing and Flossing Techniques (continued)
Purposes
Demonstrations
Bass method
Five surfaces on each tooth
Toothbrushes
Toothpastes or dentifrices
Dental floss

25. Summary Correct brushing and flossing provides prophylactic care
Give thorough explanation to all patients
Be sure patient understands procedures
Asking patient to demonstrate procedures is a good way to determine if all points have been learned

26. 18:10 Taking Impressions and Pouring Molds
Negative film reproduction of a tooth, several teeth, or a dental arch
Taken to form a model of the area for restoration treatment that will take place outside of the mouth
Common materials used to take impressions

27. Alginate
Hydrocolloid impression material that cannot be returned to its original state
Advantages
Disadvantages
Alginate powder—follow manufacturer’s recommended directions
Principles for taking alginate impression
Storage of alginate material

28. Rubber Base or Polysulfide
Elastomeric impression material that is elastic and rubbery in nature
Three types are available
Can be used in any type of dental impression
Not as subject to dimension changes as alginate
(continues)

29. Rubber Base or Polysulfide (continued)
Models should be poured promptly if possible
Disadvantages
Basic principles of preparing rubber base

30. Silicones Polysiloxane or polyvinylsiloxane
Available in different material qualities
Supplied in two tubes—base and catalyst
Advantages
Disadvantages

31. Gypsum Products Two main products to form models
Plaster
Stone
Principles for the use of gypsum
Follow standard precautions for infection control when taking impressions and pouring models

32. 18:11 Making Custom Trays
Impression trays that are made to fit patient’s mouth
Materials used to produce trays
Acrylic resins are self-curing or light-curing
Types of custom trays
Clean and replace all equipment

33. 18:12 Maintaining and Loading an Anesthetic Aspirating Syringe
Anesthesia is used for pain control
Types of anesthesia
General anesthesia
Analgesia
Local anesthesia
Topical anesthesia

34. Injections Two main kinds of injections for used for local anesthesia
Block
Infiltration
Types of medications
Anesthetic carpules (cartridges)
Aspirating syringes
Follow standard precautions

35. 18:13 Mixing Dental Cements and Bases
Cements and bases used in variety of dental procedures
Terminology
Types of products
Basic principles of mixing cements and bases

36. 18:14 Preparing Restorative Materials
Restoration: process of replacing a diseased portion of a tooth or a lost tooth by artificial means
May include filling material, crowns, bridge, denture, partial denture, or implant
Dental caries or decay

37. Amalgam Restorative material used mostly on posterior teeth
Contains four main metals
Silver
Tin
Copper
Zinc
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38. Amalgam (continued) Mercury when added to other metals forms amalgam
Must be handled with care due to toxicity
Use protective clothing
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations

39. Composite
Restorative material used primarily for the repair of anterior teeth
Self-curing (chemical-curing)
Light-curing
Various shades to blend with teeth
Follow manufacturer’s instructions

40. 18:15 Developing and Mounting Dental X-Rays
Dental X-rays or radiographs
Radiolucents
Radiopaque
Types of dental radiographs
Developing films
Mounting X-rays

41. Summary The dental assistant acquires many skills
Use of these skills enables the dental assistant to perform or assist with many procedures in the dental care setting
Following procedures the assistant is often responsible for cleaning and care of equipment used