chapter 9 - clinical dentistry

Dental treatment area or Dental operatory

The center of the practice. Patients receive their treatment in this designated area

Supine position

The chairs back is lowered until the patient is almost lying down. The patients head and knees should be approximately at the same plane. The majority of dental procedures take place i this position

Subsupine position

The patients head will be lower than the feet. The position is recommended during an emergency situation, especially if a patient becomes unconscious

Positioning the dental team

The manner in which the dentist and the clinical assistant position themselves around the patient. Designed to limit activities than can cause excessive reaching, bending and twisting

Ergonomics

The science that seeks to adapt working conditions to suit the worker

Operating zones

Based on a clock concept, the top of the patients head is 12 oclock. Best way to identify the working positions of the dental team. The locations of the zones vary, depending on wether the operator (or dentist) is right- or left-handed

Position of use

The instruments are transferred with the working end of the instrument directed toward the tooth being treated

Single-handed technique

For transferring instruments throughout a procedure this specific technique is used for its efficiency

Hand instruments, dental handpieces, and the air-water syringe

The single-handed technique is used for what instruments?

Grasp

The matter in which the dentist holds an instrument is termed ____. It is determined by the type of instrument, how it is used and which arch is being treated

Two-handed exchange

When beginning a procedure, the dentist will signal that the procedure is about to begin by placing one hand on each side of the patients mouth ready to receive the mirror and explorer. The clinical DA will simultaneously deliver the mirror and the explorer using a

Expanded funcition

Function which the dentist delegates a specific intraoral task to a credentialed expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) or a registered dental assistant (RDA). For a function to be delegated, it must be legal in the state to do so

Dental chair

Operators stool

Assistants stool

Operating light

Air-water syringe

Oral evacuation system

Dental unit