Intro to Dental Assisting- Ch 3 Test/COMPLETE

American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)

professional organization that represents the profession of dental assisting on a national level

Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)

the nationally recognized credential of the dental assistant who has passed the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification examination and keeps current in practice through continuing education

Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)

national agency responsible for administering the certification examination and issuing the credential of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)

Licensure

means of credentialing by granting a license to practice

Professional

person who does a job that requires special training, education, and skill

Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

means of credentials in a specific state to practice dental assisting

Qualities of the Dental Assistant

Dedication

Attitude

Responsibility

Initiative

Teamwork

Review Your Personal Qualities: How do I interact with patients?

Am I friendly? Do I have a pleasant attitude?

Do I listen more than I talk?

Am I courteous?

Am I considerate, respectful, and kind?

Do I control my temper?

Do I try to see the other person’s point of view?

Am I responsible?

Am I dependable?

Am I attentive to details?

Am I calm in an emergency?

Am I responsible for my own actions?

Do I tend to blame others or find fault with others?

Dental Assistant’s Role Throughout the Dental Office

Chairside Assistant

Circulating Assistant

Sterilization Assistant

Expanded-Functions Dental Assistant

Administrative Assistant

Professional Appearance

Good health

Good grooming

Appropriate dress

Standards:

Clean, pressed uniform or scrubs

Clean, good condition shoes and laces

Hair out of face

Limited jewelry

Clean, short nails

No artificial nails

Avoid perfume or body scents

Avoid tobacco products

Subtle/natural makeup

Avoid visible tattoos, piercings

Bathe daily and use deodorant

Maintain oral hygiene

Implement infection control procedures

Credentialing Dental Assistants

Dental Assisting National Board: issues credential of Certified Dental Assistant TM

Benefits for dental assistant:

• Personal achievement

• Promotes professional pride

• Demonstrates commitment to excellence

• Greater earning power

• Career advancement potential

Pathways to Credentialing

Pathway I

• Graduation from CODA-accredited program

• Current CPR from DANB-accepted provider

Pathway II

• High school graduation or equivalent

• 3500+ hours work experience

• Current CPR from DANB-accepted provider

Pathway III

• Former CDA status, graduation from CODA-accredited DDS or DMD program, graduation from program outside the US or Canada

• Current CPR from DANB-accepted provider

Registered or Licensed Dental Assistant

Registered Dental Assistant

• Taken and passed an examination required by their state

• Not practiced in all states

Licensed Dental Assistant

• License requirements vary by state

• Some states require license, not all

Professional Organizations

The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)

Membership is automatically in the (1) national (2) state and (3) local components

National dues = $135 + State dues = $20 for total $155

Student dues = $45

Access to free continuing education credits

Access to The Dental Assistant Journal

Other discounts available for various services

Career Opportunities

Types of practice settings

Solo practices

Group practice

Specialty practice

Office managers

Financial coordinators

Scheduling coordinators

Public health dentistry

Hospital dental clinics

Dental school clinics

Other Career Opportunities

Insurance companies

Teaching dental assisting

Dental product sales representatives

What are benefits of joining the ADAA?

By joining the ADAA, you can grow personally and profes­sionally and keep abreast of legislative issues and current infor­mation. ADAA members have the opportunity to attend local, state, and national meetings, where they can participate in workshops, earn continuing education credit, hear prominent speakers, and establish lifelong friendships with other dental assistants.

Can you think of potential employment situations for a dental assistant in public health dentistry or a hospital-based dental clinic?

The dental assistant may be employed in a community facility or even a mobile facility for treating migrant workers.

Other Career Opportunities: Insurance companies, Teaching dental assisting, Dental product sales representatives. What happens in each?

Insurance companies may conduct audits to ensure that dental treatment was provided as submitted.

Dental assistants are often employed as instructors in dental assisting programs.

Dental product sales representatives visit dental offices to explain the features of products. Often, they help with dental exhibits at seminars and dental conventions.

Chairside Assistant

They are involved in many areas in the clinical suite. They primarily utilize the four handed dentistry techniques. They prepare patient treatment rooms, ready setup for procedures, assist with anesthesia, exchange instruments, mix dental materials, provide oral evaluations, and educate patients on post-operative care.

Circulating Assistant

Serve as an extra pair of hands where needed around the clinic, referred to as six handed dentistry. Most commonly seen in specialty practices that involve surgical procedures. They monitor the patient, exchange instruments, assist with anesthesia.

Sterilization Assistant

responsible for sterilizing, includes weekly monitoring, monitoring reports, responsible for selecting infection control products and performing quality assurance procedures.

Expanded Functions Dental Assistant

An EFDA receives additional training and is legally permitted to provide certain intraoral procedures beyond the tasks of the general chairside dental assistant. Functions delegated to the EFDA vary according to the Dental Practice Act in each state or province.

Administrative Assistant

Also known as a receptionist, they are primarily responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of the business side of the dental practice. Two or more assistance may work in the business area of a dental office. Responsible for scheduling appointments, communicating on the phone, coordinating financial arrangements with patients, handling dental assurance claims.