Chapter 2 ~ The Professional Dental Assistant

Professionalism is an attitude that is...

apparent in everything you say and do, in and out of the dental office. It distinguishes people who "have a job" from those that are "pursuing a career".

Essential Aspects of Professional appearance

- Good grooming

- Good health

- Appropriate dress

Professional Appearance Examples

- Clean, pressed uniform

- Clean shoes and laces

- Hair pulled back or up and out of the face

- Minimal jewelry

- Fingernails clean and short

- Good hygiene

- No smoking or tobacco use

- Avoid tattoos or body piercings

Stay in Good Health

you must get an adequate amount of rest, eat well-balanced meals, and exercise.

Good Grooming

Pay attention to the details of your personal appearance.

Ex: Daily shower, use deodorant, good oral hygiene, no smoking (odors linger), and no perfumes.

Appropriate Dress

Involves wearing clothing appropriate for the type of position.

- Clean & Wrinkle Free

- Only natural looking makeup (nothing too excessive)

- Conservative jewelry only (wedding band, small earrings)

- Piercings shouldn't be worn

Responsibility and Initiative in the Dental Office

- Arrive on time and don't leave early.

- Volunteer to help other staff members.

- Be willing to learn.

- Find things to do.

- Never discuss personal problems with patients or other staff members.

Always be a ____ player

team

Confidentiality in the Dental Office

Everything that is said in a dental office must remain confidential. Never reveal any information about patients. Never discuss patients outside the office.

Breaches of confidentiality can result in...

lawsuits against all involved.

Speaking With Patients

- Demonstrate sensitivity to the patient's needs, Show empathy and be sincere!

- Say "the right thing at the right time"

- Listen more than you talk

HIPAA

"Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act" Protects healthcare information while it's shared among other healthcare providers. Must protect patient privacy while being shared.

HIPAA Enacted in ____ by US Congress and signed into law by former President Bill Clinton.

1996

ADAA

"The American Dental Assistants Association", the organization that represents the profession of dental assisting.

The ADAA was formed in ____ by Juliette A. Southard.

1924, Southard's vision was "an educated, efficient dental assistant with her own place in the profession of dentistry."

DANB

"Dental Assisting National Board" the agency responsible for testing dental assistants and issuing the credential of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).

To become a CDA

you must take and pass a written examination administered by the DANB. Successful completion of the DANB examination gives an assistant the right to use the credential of CDA, to wear the official certification pin, and to display the certificate.

Dental Assistant Responsibilities

- Takes preliminary impressions

- Instituting Infection Control Procedures

- Assists the Dentist

- Dental Charting

- Takes Radiographs

- Patient Education

- Assist front Office

Roles of the Chairside Assistant

- Pouring and trimming models and performing other laboratory procedures

- Providing patient education

- Providing postoperative instructions to patients

- Overseeing inventory control and ordering dental supplies

- Ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations

(And more, best to look over slide 30-31)

Responsibilities of the Expanded-Function Assistant

Delegation of the following functions varies from state to state, depending on the individual state's dental practice act:

- Placing dental sealants

- Taking impressions

- Fabricating temporary crowns and bridges

- Placing retraction cord

- Applying fluoride

- Applying topical anesthetic

- Placing and removing dental dams

- Placing and removing matrices and wedges