Dental assistant
Encyclopedia
Dental assistants assist the dental operator (dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...

 or other treating dental auxiliary) provide more efficient dental treatment
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...

, by preparing the patient for treatment, sterilizing instruments, passing instruments during the procedure, holding a suction device, exposing dental radiographs, taking impressions, and fabricating provisional crowns. Dental operators can focus more time on the procedure, the dental assistant then effectively becomes the operator's extra hands.

Dental assistants should be distinguished from dental hygienists, who usually have a higher level of training & expertise.

Educational and licensing requirements in U.S.

While, in some states, dental assistants can work in the field without a college degree, in other states, dental assistants must be licensed or registered.

There is a growing population of dental assistant fighting to have the requirement of a minimum certification to work in the growing field. There are many things that dental assistant must consider while working in the field and arguably the most important is infection control.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association is the agency that accredits dental assisting school programs, of which there are over 200 in the United States. To become a Certified Dental Assistant, or CDA, dental assistants must take the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) CDA examination after they have completed an accredited dental assisting program, or have at least two years of on-the-job training as a dental assistant. It is important to note that people interested in non-conventional dental assistant training (i.e., taught as a 10-12 week in-office course) should be aware that the expense incurred is often excessive ($3000-4000 or more), considering many dentists are willing to pay a dental assistant-in-training that has a good attitude and work ethic.

Expanded duties dental assistants may work one on one with the patient performing restorations after the doctor has removed decay.

In the UK, Registered Dental nurses are prohibited from carrying out any form of direct dental treatment on the patient, including teeth whitening procedures under the GDC scope of practice.

Dental nurses found to be carrying out dental procedures are liable to be struck off the statutory GDC register.

However in the Republic of Ireland & also in the UK & parts of America it is often dental nurses (and teeth whitening technicians) who carry out teeth whitening procedures and not dentists. This practice mainly occurs in clinics focusing solely on laser teeth whitening. In Ireland registration as a dental nurse with The Irish Dental Council is voluntary, however nurses who are registered and who carry out teeth whitening may face disciplinary action if caught carrying out such procedures & it is in fact qualified yet non registered dental nurses who carry out teeth whitening as teeth whitening in Ireland is classified as Cosmetic treatment and not dental/medical etc.

See also

  • Dentistry
    Dentistry
    Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...

  • Dental auxiliary
    • Dental therapist
      Dental therapist
      A dental therapist receives specialized training in treating children's teeth and oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the duties therapists are able to perform...

    • Dental hygienist
      Dental hygienist
      thumb|right|300px|Dental hygienist holding a scalerA dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists...

    • Dental technician
      Dental technician
      A dental technologist is a member of the dental team who, upon presciption from a dental clinician, constructs custom made restorative and dental appliances.There are four major disciplines within dental technology...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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