dental assistant

dental assistant

n.

A person trained to assist a dentist with clinical and administrative procedures.

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dental assistant,

a person who aids a dentist in the performance of generalized tasks, including chairside aid, clerical work, reception, and some radiography and dental laboratory work. See also certified dental assistant.

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assistant [ah-sis´tant]

one who aids or helps another; an auxiliary.

dental assistant see dental assistant.

first assistant a physician, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, surgical technologist, or specially trained registered professional nurse who directly assists the surgeon by handling tissue, providing exposure, using surgical instruments and equipment, suturing, and providing hemostasis.

occupational therapy assistant see occupational therapy assistant.

personal digital assistant (PDA) a small computer used to organize and easily access information; for example, clinical guidelines can be downloaded to this device.

physician assistant see physician assistant.

second assistant an individual who assists the surgeon or first assistant during an operative procedure by carrying out technical tasks such as holding retractors; this individual does not cut, clamp, or suture tissue. This role may be performed at the same time as the scrub role.

surgeon assistant (SA) see surgeon assistant.

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dental [den´t'l]

pertaining to the teeth.

dental assistant a specially trained health care worker who provides direct support to the dentist. An educationally qualified dental assistant may be delegated to do intraoral procedures that do not require the professional skill and judgment of a dentist. Although not all states require formal education for dental assistants, minimum educational standards include a program of approximately one academic year. Dental assistants may take the Certification Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board and earn the title of a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). Some state boards of dentistry register dental assistants (RDA) after completion of a state-administered examination. Dental assistants may be members of their professional organization, the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA), whose address is American Dental Assistants Association, 203 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60601.

dental caries a process of demineralization of tooth enamel, leading to destruction of enamel and dentin, with cavitation of the tooth. Decayed and infected teeth can be the source of other infections throughout the body, and decayed or missing teeth can interfere with proper chewing of food, leading to nutritional deficiencies or disorders of digestion. Called also tooth decay.

Causes. The causes are not completely understood, but certain facts are known. Tooth decay seems to be a disease of civilization, possibly associated with refined foods. Lack of dental cleanliness is also closely associated. Decay occurs where food and bacteria such as Lactobacillus species and Streptococcus mutans adhere to the surface of the teeth, especially in pits or crevices, and form dental plaque. It is believed that the action of the bacteria on sugars and starches creates lactic acid, which can quickly and permanently dissolve tooth enamel. The acid produced in just 20 minutes after sugar comes into contact with plaque is enough to begin this process. In most people this occurs whenever sweet foods are eaten; thus, eating of sweet or starchy foods between meals or at bedtime can be harmful to the teeth unless they are thoroughly brushed and rinsed immediately afterward. Decay that is not treated will progress through the enamel and dentin into the pulp, which contains the nerves. When it reaches the pulp, it can cause intense pain. There is no relief until the pulp dies or is removed or the tooth is extracted.

Treatment. The treatment for tooth decay consists of elimination of the pathogenic microorganisms that cause it, along with regular dental care. Enamel that has been destroyed does not grow back. The decay must be removed and the cavity filled. fillings (or restorations) may be of gold foil, baked porcelain, synthetic cements, silver amalgam, or cast gold inlays. When decay has reached the pulp, formerly extraction was usually necessary. Whenever possible, however, the exposed pulp is re-covered, or capped, and the tooth is then filled. New techniques of root canal therapy are saving many teeth that would formerly have been lost.

Prevention.

Flossing and Brushing the Teeth. Cleanliness is the best weapon against caries and periodontitis. Bacteria and food particles must be removed before the enamel is penetrated. This means thorough brushing regularly each day, preferably after every meal. If it is impossible to brush after every meal, it is helpful to rinse the mouth by swishing water vigorously back and forth between and around the teeth. When the teeth are brushed, food particles that lodge between the teeth should also be removed with dental floss.

The dental floss should be strung tightly between the two index fingers or between the bows of a floss holder. Flossing and brushing should be done in an orderly sequence so that no area is neglected. The usual pattern is beginning at the upper right, progressing to the upper left, and then from the lower left to the lower right. The floss is gently inserted between the teeth and pulled against the surface of one tooth to a point slightly under the tissue of the gum. It is then moved up and down for several strokes. The adjacent tooth is cleaned in the same manner.

The “sulcular” technique for brushing the teeth is so called because the bristles of the brush are worked beneath the free gingival margin and into the space between the tooth and the gum (the sulcus). To accomplish this the bristles are placed at a 45 degree angle to the gum line. Pressure is then used to move the brush back and forth in a circular motion. The brushing is continued around the mouth in the same pattern as the flossing.

A disclosing dye may be used to determine the presence of plaque on the teeth. Flavored mouthwash does not reduce plaque formation and is useful only to moisturize the tissues and improve mouth taste. (See also mouth care.)

 

Proper Diet. In order to help maintain healthy teeth, the diet should include all the essential elements of good nutrition. Tooth decay can be reduced by limiting the intake of certain forms of sugar, especially the rich or highly concentrated ones such as in candy or rich desserts.

 

fluoridation is another important means of preventing caries. Many communities whose water is lacking in an adequate natural supply of fluoride add the chemical to their water supply. In communities that do not have fluoridation, dental professionals may add a fluoride solution directly to the teeth or may suggest other means of obtaining fluoride protection.

 

Correction of Malocclusion. Another factor leading to tooth decay is malocclusion (poor position of the teeth), which results in faulty closure of the jaws and uneven meeting of the teeth. This should be corrected early because it also can lead to inadequate nutrition because of difficulty in chewing, and if it is severe enough to distort the face, it may have psychologic effects.

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assistant,

n an agent or employee.

assistant, dental,

n an auxiliary to the dental operator. See also certified dental assistant.

assistant's stool,

n an adjustable chair with additional base support and footrest used to maintain the comfort of the individual assisting the clinician during an examination.

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dental,

adj relating to the teeth.

dental abutment,

n See abutment.

dental alloy,

n See alloy.

dental amalgam,

n See amalgam.

dental ankylosis

(ang´klō´sis),
n See tooth, ankylosed.

dental anxiety,

n See anxiety.

dental arch,

n See arch, dental.

dental articulator,

n See articulator.

dental assistant,

n See assistant, dental.

dental auxiliary,

n See auxiliary personnel.

dental benefits organization,

n an organization offering a dental benefits plan. Also known as dental plan organization.

dental benefits plan,

n the plan entitles covered individuals to specified dental services in return for a fixed, periodic payment made in advance of treatment. Such plans often include the use of deductibles, coinsurance, or maximums to control the cost of the program to the purchaser.

dental benefits program,

n the specific dental benefits plan being offered to enrollees by the sponsor.

dental biofilm,

n See biofilm, dental.

dental bonding,

n See bonding.

dental calculus,

n See calculus.

dental care,

n the treatment of the teeth and their supporting structures.

dental care for children,

n See pedodontics.

dental caries,

n See caries.

dental caries susceptible,

n See susceptible.

dental cavity lining,

n See cavity lining.

dental cement,

n See cement, dental.

dental cementum,

n See cementum.

dental chart,

n See chart, dental.

dental clinic,

n See clinic.

dental cooperative,

n a dental facility organized to provide dental services for the benefit of subscribers and not for profit. There is no discrimination as to who may subscribe, and each subscriber has equal rights and voice in the control of the cooperative. The operation of the cooperative usually rests with a lay board of directors elected by subscribers.

dental deposit,

n See calculus.

dental dysfunction,

n See dysfunction, dental.

dental enamel,

n See enamel.

dental enamel, hypoplastic,

n See hypoplasia.

dental engine,

n See engine, dental.

dental equipment,

n See equipment.

dental fissure,

n See fissure.

dental fistula,

n See fistula.

dental floss,

n a waxed or plain thread of nylon or silk used to clean the interdental areas; an aid in oral physiotherapy. Shredproof Teflon expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), or nylon flosses are still believed to be the best materials for removing plaque from the teeth.

dental fluorosis,

n See fluorosis, dental.

dental geriatrics,

n See geriatrics.

dental granuloma,

n See granuloma, dental.

dental handpiece,

n See handpiece.

dental health services,

n the sum of the diagnostic, preventive, consultative, supportive, and therapeutic dental care offered by the dental profession or that portion provided a member of a dental health plan.

dental health surveys,

n the use of questionnaires and oral examinations of a target population to determine the need or demand for dental care or the opinions or attitudes of patients or consumers.

dental history,

n See history.

dental hygiene armamentarium,

n See armamentarium.

dental hygiene diagnostic model,

n one of four approaches to patient care. Its purpose is to arrive at a plan for recommended treatment by the systematic use of six steps that cover the major aspects of care, from initial inquiry to problem solving to patient education.

dental hygiene instrumentarium,

n See instrumentarium.

dental hygiene process model,

n one of four approaches to patient care, characterized by the documentation of a patient's expressed needs as they relate to a range of possible causes. Patient is questioned about various areas of concern, including overall health care.

dental hygienist,

n See hygienist, dental.

dental identification,

n the process of establishing the unique characteristics of teeth and dental work of an individual, leading to the identification of an individual by comparison with the person's dental charts and records. Used in forensic dentistry.

dental implant,

n See implant.

dental impression material,

n See impression.

dental instrument,

n See instruments.

dental insurance,

n a policy that insures against the expense of treatment and care of dental disease and accident to teeth.

dental jurisprudence

n the application of the principles of law as they relate to the practice of dentistry. See also jurisprudence, dental.

dental laboratory technician,

n See technician, dental laboratory.

dental lamina,

n See lamina, dental.

dental material,

n See material, dental.

dental model,

n See model.

dental neglect,

n the purposeful denial of the minimum amount of oral health care or maintenance required to sustain functioning periodontium and teeth. The caretaker may exhibit a disregard for the patient's health and may focus primarily on pain relief for the patient. It is considered a warning sign of possible child or elder abuse.

Dental neglect.

dental occlusion,

n See occlusion.

dental papilla,

n See papilla.

dental pathology,

n that branch of dentistry that deals with all aspects of dental disease. See also pathology.

dental perioscopy

(per´ēos´kpē),
n See endoscopy, periodontal.

dental pin,

n See pin.

dental plan,

n an organized method for the financing of dental care.

dental plaque,

n See plaque.

dental porcelain,

n See porcelain, dental.

dental prepayment,

n a system for budgeting the cost of dental services in advance of their receipt.

dental prophylaxis,

n See prophylaxis.

dental prosthesis,

n See prosthesis.

dental prosthetic restoration,

n See prosthesis, dental.

dental public health,

n may also be called
public health dentistry. The science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice that serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs as well as prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis. See community dentistry.

dental pulp,

n See pulp.

dental pulp capping,

n See capping, pulp.

dental pulp cavity,

n See cavity, pulp.

dental pulp exposure,

n See exposure.

dental record,

n a confidential document containing the clinical and financial data of the dental patient, including the patient's identity, pertinent history, medical and dental conditions, services rendered, and charges and payments made.

dental research,

n the formal scientific study of issues related to dentistry.

dental review committee,

n a group of dental professionals and administrative personnel that reviews questionable dental claims and can suggest policy decisions regarding dental care.

dental sac,

n a portion of the tooth germ consisting of ectomesenchyme surrounding the outside of the enamel organ, which produces the periodontium of a tooth. Older term is
dental follicle.

dental scaling,

n See scaling.

dental sealant,

n See sealant.

dental senescence,

n See senescence, dental.

dental service corporation,

n a legally constituted, not-for-profit organization that negotiates and administers contracts for dental care. Delta Dental and Blue Cross/Blue Shield corporations are two such organizations.

dental service, hospital,

n 1. the location of the dental facility within a hospital.
n 2. the array of dental procedures offered within a hospital setting.

dental splint,

n See splint, dental.

dental staff,

n the personnel employed or engaged by the dental professional to conduct the assignable professional and management functions of the dental clinic, office, or practice.

dental stone,

n See stone, dental.

dental tape,

n See tape, dental.

dental technician,

n See technician.

dental unit,

n See unit, dental.