DT L1
Course Overview
Course Intro: Focus on dental equipment and positioning.
Instructor: Jenna Kuzik, RDH.
Dental Equipment
Treatment Area
Figure 6-1: Visual of treatment area, courtesy A-dec, Inc.
The Dental Chair
Features:
Contoured seat for comfort.
Lumbar support to maintain posture.
Arm rests for relaxation.
Power controls (foot or side).
360-degree rotation for flexibility.
Low base for accessibility.
Dental Unit
Function: Supplies electricity and air to dental instruments.
Components:
High- and slow-speed handpieces.
Air-water syringe.
Saliva ejector and High-Volume Evacuation (HVE).
Operation: Initiated by the master switch; controls air and water flow per attachment.
A handout is provided for labeling.
Air-Water Syringe
Usage:
Delivers water stream.
Delivers air stream.
Combination of water and air.
Tips are available in plastic or metal.
Operating Light
Purpose: Illuminates the oral cavity.
Specifications:
Utilizes bright halogen bulbs.
Care to avoid shining into the client's eyes.
Mounting options include flexible arm or ceiling track.
Positioning of the Operating Light
Guidelines:
First, shine light on the client's chest.
Maintain an arm length distance.
Use removable barriers for infection control.
Clean per manufacturer's instructions.
Note that halogen bulbs must not be touched with bare hands.
Saliva Ejector
Description: Small oral evacuation system.
Function:
Enhances client comfort with gentle suction.
Helps maintain a dry field.
Aids in controlling saliva accumulation.
Placement:
Soft plastic tubing shaped for oral cavity placement, bent like a candy-cane.
High-Volume Oral Evacuation
Functionality:
Removes moisture, blood, water, and debris.
Aids in retraction of tongue away from the treatment area.
Reduces bacterial aerosols.
Cords on Power Driven Instruments
Types:
Retractable: Tangles avoided, space saving.
Curly: Shortened distance, space saving.
Straight: Free-hanging arrangement.
Clinician's Chair
Importance: Essential for effective care delivery.
Design:
Broad base with mobility (minimum five casters).
Adjustable height for optimal positioning.
Neutral Position of Clinician
Visual cues: Shoulders level, relaxed, elbows close to body, forearms aligned with wrists and client's mouth.
Common Positioning Errors
Clinician's stool too high or low leading to poor arm positioning.
Effective Lighting and Air Use
Significance: Critical for intra-oral assessments.
Anatomic Descriptors in Periodontal Instrumentation
Key Terms
Long Axis: Imaginary line through the center of the tooth.
Apical vs. Coronal: Directions towards apex or crown of the tooth.
Midline: Division of tooth halves.
Line Angle: Imaginary line where two surfaces meet, e.g. mesiofacial line angle.
Sextant: Six divisions of dentition.
Aspect: Facial or lingual aspects of a sextant.
Mathematical Terminology in Instrumentation
Important Concepts
Angles: Defined by intersecting lines; critical in angulation for calculus removal.
Degrees: Reference points (90° and 45° angles).
Working-End Selection
Correct alignment is essential for effective dental treatment.
Understanding parallels and perpendiculars in positioning.
Stroke Directions
Vertical, Oblique, and Horizontal Strokes: Important techniques for instrumentation.
Measurement in Dentistry
Millimeters (mm): Units crucial for measuring anatomical features.
Probes: Used as periodontal measuring sticks for clinical assessments.
Clinical Positioning
Clock Positions
Clinician’s position linked with clock hours relative to client.
Right-Handed Clinician:
Sitting positions at 8:00 to 9:00 for surfaces toward.
12:00 for surfaces away.
Left-Handed Clinician:
Positions at 4:00 to 3:00 for surfaces toward, 12:00 for surfaces away.
Neutral Position Guidelines
Importance of positioning for decreased injury risk.
Frequent Adjustments: Clinician and client’s chair adjustments crucial for neutrality.
Conclusion
A comprehensive understanding of dental positioning and equipment is vital for effective practice and client comfort.