dental auxiliary

dental auxiliary

Introduction

      person qualified by training and experience to perform dental work under the direction and supervision of a dentist. Some of these auxiliary persons work directly for the dentist in his own office; others work in a separate office or laboratory, where they perform services to the dentist on the basis of work authorizations or prescriptions. There are three principal dental-auxiliary groups: dental hygienists, dental laboratory technicians, and dental assistants. Of the three groups, only dental hygienists are required to have university training.

Dental hygienist.
      The hygienist, working under the direction of a licensed dentist, cleans and polishes the patient's teeth and gives advice on the care of teeth. Hygienists may also take and develop X-ray pictures of the teeth, mix filling compounds, apply fluorides to the teeth, and otherwise assist the dentist with a patient. In the United States, hygienists are also employed by public school systems to visit schools periodically, where they examine the teeth of the children and refer to a dentist cases in which treatment is indicated. Hygienists employed in hospitals may be called upon to work with bed and ambulatory patients who require limited prophylactic treatment.

Dental laboratory technician.
      A dental laboratory technician, upon receiving a prescription or work-authorization form from a licensed dentist, fabricates various appliances, such as full and partial dentures, crowns and bridges, and other prosthetic devices that the dentist uses in making restorations for the patient. The technician is not permitted to fit these appliances, nor may he take the impressions from which the dentures and other devices are fabricated.

Dental assistant.
      About 65 percent of all dental auxiliaries are dental assistants. Their duties vary according to the degree to which the dentist elects to delegate duties that do not require extensive professional knowledge. In general, the assistant is expected to prepare patients for dental treatment; to prepare materials and equipment for use by the dentist, including sterilizing and laying out instruments; to know instrument and equipment nomenclature; and to keep records of appointments, examinations, treatments, and supplies. A growing number of assistants are being trained to assist the dentist at the chair in restorative dentistry, in surgical operations, and in prosthetic dentistry; many also are being trained to perform dental X-ray work.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dental auxiliary — A dental auxiliary is any of the dentist s supporting team who helps with dental treatment. They include dental assistants (known as dental nurses in the United Kingdom and Ireland), dental therapists, dental hygienists and dental technicians.… …   Wikipedia

  • dental auxiliary — any of several assistants to a dentist, now referred to as professionals complementary to dentistry. A dental hygienist performs scaling and instruction in oral hygiene under the prescription of the dentist. A dental nurse helps the dentist at… …   Medical dictionary

  • Dental assistant — Dental assistants assist the dental operator (dentist or other treating dental auxiliary) provide more efficient dental treatment, by preparing the patient for treatment, sterilizing instruments, passing instruments during the procedure, holding… …   Wikipedia

  • Dental technician — Dental technologist building porcelain Fixed prosthesis. A dental technologist is a member of the dental team who, upon presciption from a dental clinician, constructs custom made restorative and dental appliances.[1][2] There are four major… …   Wikipedia

  • dental hygienist — n a person who assists a dentist esp. in cleaning teeth * * * a dental auxiliary specially trained in dental prophylaxis, who meets certain prescribed standards of education and clinical competence. Dental hygienists work under the direct… …   Medical dictionary

  • Помощники Стоматолога (Dental Auxiliary) — специалисты, помогающие в работе врачу стоматологу (в Великобритании). Зубной гигиенист (dental hygienist) производит предварительную очистку зубов и дает советы, касающиеся гигиены полости рта, руководствуясь при этом предписаниями врача… …   Медицинские термины

  • Dental instruments — Mouth mirror, a commonly used dental instrument Dental instruments are the tools that dental professionals use to provide dental treatment. They include tools to examine, manipulate, restore and remove teeth and surrounding oral structures.… …   Wikipedia

  • 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. Typically, therapists under the prescription of a dentist are licensed… …   Wikipedia

  • Dental — The word dental is used for things pertaining to teeth and could refer to: Dentistry, a medical profession Dental Auxiliary Dental hygienist, a licensed practitioner Dental technician Any variety of other dental professions, such as Dental… …   Wikipedia

  • Dental school — A dental school (or dental college) is a tertiary educational institution or part of such an institution that teaches dentistry. Upon successful completion, the graduate receives a degree in Dentistry, which, depending upon the jurisdiction,… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”