Introduction to Dental Assisting

Dental laboratory

The room in the dental office that is used by staff to pour impressions, prepare study models, and polish removable items, such as dentures or space maintainers.

Ida-Gray Rollins

The first African American woman in the United States to earn a dental degree.

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medical Dentistry

Depending on which school they attended, when dentists graduate from a dental university, they are awarded either the DDS or DMD degree.

Dental Laboratory Technician

Usually does not work in the dental office with the other team members. Makes crowns, bridges, and dentures from impressions.

Radiographs

The images produced by X-ray beams on film are known as radiographs.

Circulating Assistant

Acts as an additional support in the clinical areas of the practice. Responsible for seating and dismissing patients, as well as preparing and maintaining instrument and treatment rooms.

Operatories

Dental treatment rooms are also known as operatories.

Chairside Dental Assistant

Directly involved in patient care. The duties include charting, placing and removing rubber dams, passing instruments, mixing and passing dental material, suctioning, and reassuring the nervous patient, among other duties.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

Involves diagnosing and surgically treating diseases, injuries, and defects of the oral and maxillofacial regions. This specialty encompasses much more than just tooth extractions.

Pediatric dentistry

Involves the oral health care of children from birth to adolescence. Often treats children with emotional and behavioral problems.

Endodontics (endodontist)

Involves the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated structures (root canal treatments).

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen

Bavarian physicist who discovered the X-ray beam in 1895.

George Blue Spruce Jr.

The first Native American dentist in the United States (1956).

C. Edmund Kells

A New Orleans dentist, usually credited with employing the first dental assistant.

Oral and maxillofacial radiology

Utilizes advanced imaging techniques to identify tumors and infectious diseases in the jaws and head, while also aiding in the diagnosis of patients with trauma and temporomandibular disorders. It became the first new dental specialty in 36 years when it received recognition from the American Dental Association (ADA) in 1999.

Sterilization assistant

Efficiently and safely processes all instruments and manages biohazardous waste.

Model trimmer

Used when trimming diagnostic casts and study models.

Oral pathology

Involves the nature of diseases affecting the oral cavity and adjacent structures. A major function of this dental specialty is to perform biopsies and to work closely with oral surgeons to provide a diagnosis.

Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association (ADA)

The dentist trained in the United States must graduate from a dental university approved by the CODA.

Jessica A. Rickert

First recognized Native American female dentist.

Periodontics (periodontist)

Involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the oral tissues supporting and surrounding the teeth.

Orthodontics (orthodontist)

Involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of malocclusions of the teeth and associated structures. This specialty entails significantly more than fitting of braces.

Prosthodontics (prosthodontist)

Involves the restoration and replacement of natural teeth with artificial constructs, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Instrument-processing area

Area where contaminated instruments are cleaned, packaged, sterilized, and stored for reuse.

Registered Dental Hygienist

Generally removes deposits from teeth (calculus), exposes radiographs, applies topical fluoride and dental sealants, and provides patients with home care instructions. In many states, registered dental hygienists are allowed to administer local anesthesia.

Dental public health

This involves creating policies at the country, state, and national levels aimed at controlling and preventing diseases. Examples include fluoridation, community and oral health education, and Head Start programs. It also encompasses conducting dental screenings within the community to assess its needs.

Robert Tanner Freeman

In 1867, Harvard University established its first dental class and admitted its first African American student.

Dentist

The individual who is legally and ultimately responsible for the care of patients and for the supervision of all other members of the team.