The Dental Healthcare Team

Members of the dental healthcare team

Dentist (general/specialist)

DA (clinical, expanded-functions, business)

Dental Hygienist

Dental Laboratory Technician

Dentist

Before going into practice, all dentists must pass a written national board examination

They are required to take a clinical board examination in the state they choose to practice

Variety of practice options available to them

Most are members of their professional organization, the American Dental Association (ADA)

Education & Certification of the General Dentist

College degree (4-year pre-dental education)

Undergraduate dental education (4 years, w/ emphasis on basic sciences the first 2 years & clinical sciences the last 2 years)

Passage of a written national examination and a clinical state board examination before permission to practice is granted

DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry)

Education of the Dental Specialist

Education as a general dentist

Master’s program in the specialty ranging from 2-6 years, (depending on area of specialty)

In some programs, a PhD for another 2 years of education & postdoctoral education

ADA recognizes 9 dental specialties

Dental Specialties (9)

Dental Public Health

Endodontics

Oral & maxillofacial radiology

Oral & maxillofacial surgery

Oral pathology

Orthodontics

Pediatric dentistry

Periodontics

Prosthodontics

Registered Dental Hygienist

Licensed professional w/ specialized clinical & educational skills

Minimal education required for a dental hygienist is 2 academic years of college study in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program

Also offered in bachelors & masters programs

Required to work under the supervision of a licensed dentist

Dental Assistant

Duties assigned are determined by the regulations of the Dental Practice Act of the state in which they practice

The DA is trained to perform many activities that are not required of the dentist

The educational program for a DA must include didactic, laboratory, & clinical content

Roles of the DA

Clinical DA are directly involved in patient care in these roles:

Chairside assistant

Circulating assistant

Community work

Sterilization assistant

Expanded-functions dental assistant

Responsibilities of the chairside DA

Seating and preparing for pt

Charting

Instituting IC (maybe infection control) procedures

Mixing and passing dental malts

Assisting dentist during procedures

Ensuring pt comfort

Exposing and processing radiographs

Pouring and trimming models & performing other laboratory procedures

Providing pt education

Providing PO (post operative) instructions to pts

Overseeing inventory control & ordering dental supplies

Ensuring compliance w/ OSHA regulations