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Learning outcomes 1. To introduce the Dental Nurses Role and Responsibilities 2. To introduce the role of the Dental Team and Management 3. To explain the role and responsibilities of a DN 4. Discuss the management of the team
The Role A dental nurse is an essential part of the dental team, helping to ensure that the patient is well cared for. As a dental nurse it is important to be friendly, calm and efficient and have a reassuring and welcoming manner. A dental nurse works closely with the dentist, providing assistance throughout a patient’s visit. Assisting the dentist encompasses a wide range of procedures from preparing the various materials required and ensuring the proper instruments and equipment are available, to cleaning and sterilising the used instruments. Additional duties may include helping the dentist to record information about the patient’s oral health, processing radiographs and stock control. In general dental practice, a dental nurse’s duties may also including helping at reception – making appointments, getting involved in the administration of the practice and collecting money. The roles that are undertaken vary depending upon the individual practice and interests of the nurse.
Personality Traits of a Dental Nurse In addition to being adaptable, flexible, and reassuring, being able to work as part of a team is essential. This is particularly important in dental surgery, which is often stressful and where the key is to be able to work quickly and calmly while coping with multiple changes of plan often with little or no notice. A dental nurse is often in a better position to recognise if a patient is particularly nervous and to put a patient at ease. Patients usually find dental nurses easier to confide in about any difficulties they are experiencing, which may be important for the dentist to know, especially if it affects their dental treatment. In this way, a dental nurse can improve communication between the dentist and patient. Some assisting work can be very precise and a high degree of manual dexterity is a valuable trait A dental nurse also needs to be highly organised and ensure that essential equipment and materials are easily accessible during any dental surgical procedure.
Regulation and Professional Registration with the General Dental Council • The GDC is the organisation which regulates dental professionals in the United Kingdom. It is a legal requirement that all dentists, dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists must be registered with the GDC in order to work in the United Kingdom. • Dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental hygienists and dental therapists are known as Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) • The GDC aims to protect patients within the United Kingdom by regulating dental staff, assuring the quality of dental education and setting standards for conduct that all dental professionals must adhere to. • Dental Nurses in training are temporarily exempt from this requirement but must be able to demonstrate that they are working towards one of the registerable qualifications on a recognised training programme.
Professional Standards and Boundaries Dental nurses are bound by the 9 Principles set by the General Dental Council (GDC) As a GDC registrant you must: 1. Put patients’ interests first 2. Communicate effectively with patients 3. Obtain valid consent 4. Maintain and protect patients’ information 5. Have a clear and effective complaints procedure 6. Work with colleagues in a way that is in the patients’ best interests 7. Maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills 8. Raise concerns if patients are at risk 9. Make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients’ confidence in you and the dental profession
The Role Of a Dental Nurse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jYt9ZqCg5I
The Role and Responsibilities of a Dental Nurse A dental nurse has many roles and responsibilities within the dental environment: • General duties • Administrative and reception duties • Surgery duties
Some duties The role of a dental nurse encompasses: • Preparing and maintaining the dental equipment, instruments and materials within a dental surgery • Carrying out infection control and decontamination procedures • Recording dental charting carried out by clinicians • Preparing, mixing and handling dental materials • Providing chair-side support to dentists, therapists and hygienists throughout a range of dental procedures • Providing support and reassurance to patients • Providing administration support in making appointments, taking payments and dealing with paperwork.
General duties • Running and maintaining an efficient dental surgery – ensuring cleanliness and tidiness at all times. • Making sure the heating, lighting and ventilation is adjusted to make a comfortable environment for staff and patients • Ordering and correct storage of stock (gloves, hand towels, masks, materials) A knowledge of, and compliance with Health and Safety legislation – fire safety, waste disposal
Administrative and reception duties A Dental Nurse’s role is related to good patient management skills, and involves the following: 1. Reception of the patient into the Practice 2. Appointments 3. Communication skills 4. Equality of dental care 5. Special needs patients (Elderly, medical problems, learning difficulties, physical disabilities) 6. Dental emergencies 7. Good team work 8. Maintaining confidentiality
Administration and Reception A good level of communication skills – with patients and staff A working knowledge of appointment systems, arrangement of current and recall appointments Filing of patients’ records – manual or computerised Correspondence A knowledge of NHS and Private regulations and organisation Management of financial records Backing up computer systems Liaison with dental laboratories – collection and delivery of lab work
Surgery Duties • Thorough preparation of the surgery is essential before the clinical session starts, between patients, and at the end of the treatment session. • A uniform and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times. • All equipment is switched on (Chair, suction, cart, light) • The surgery is disinfected thoroughly – all work surfaces, chair, light, spittoon, suction and dental cart. • Protective disposal covers applied to handles • Flush water lines following your practice policy • Check all equipment is functioning correctly • Prepare records, Instrument kits and materials are provided for the session
During Treatment Assist at the chairside during the treatment procedure – • Maintain patient records, use of suction to keep a dry and clear operative field, chairside support with Instruments and materials, monitoring of the patient throughout. • Act as chaperone and witness throughout the procedure. • Ensure the patient’s face is clean (free of impression materials etc) before they leave. • Dispose of all waste products and remove all dirty • Instruments to the decontamination area. • Disinfect the work surfaces and dental equipment • Set up the surgery for the next patient
GENERAL PATIENT CARE • Remember patients are human beings and therefore treat them accordingly. • Never give them the feeling they are being rushed • Be especially sympathetic towards older and nervous patients, do not rush them if they are infirm, but do ensure that they do not occupy too much of the operators time. • Understanding dental procedure is an important part of coping, helping patients feel and be in control. Knowledge empowers and builds confidence in much of life, the same for dentistry.
Patients often come to the surgery with some misconceived ideas of dentistry. The patient must have confidence in your knowledge as a dental nurse and they often ask questions about their treatment. Relieve their fears by listening to their problems and being sympathetic If a patient is going to be kept waiting because of surgery delay, apologise, and explain the situation. Try to indicate how long the wait will be. This makes the patient feel that they have not been forgotten and will minimise complaints. Always check the patients appearance before they leave the surgery for blood or impression materials that might have been smeared accidentally and either offer them a tissue so they can clean themselves or offer to remove it for them. Never leave the patient unattended in the surgery unit. If the operator leaves the work area, chat with the patient, answer any questions they may have and help them to feel at ease.
Accessing Dental Care Patients often experience a variety of barriers when attempting to access dental care which may add to fear or anxiety. These include: • Financial reasons • Access to dental services – geographical / physical disability • Work and family commitments • Expectation of treatment options • General health and wellbeing • Pain • Anxiety – poor past experience, fear, mental health issues, risks with dental radiography How can these barriers to the problems be addressed / solved???
The Role of the Dental Team THE DENTAL TEAM consists of: • DENTIST • DENTAL HYGIENIST • DENTAL NURSE • DENTAL TECHNICIAN • RECEPTIONIST The purpose of the dental team is to provide the best possible treatment for the needs of the patient. Dental care is an important part of healthcare. As well as looking after the nation’s mouths, the dental team contributes to the wider care of patients.
Dentist Dentists work with patients and the general public to prevent and treat dental and oral disease, correcting dental irregularities (particularly in children) and treating dental and facial injuries. Dentists lead the dental team and have the skills and confidence to diagnose and treat problems and provide good advice to patients, as well as high levels of manual dexterity to carry out intricate surgical and dental procedures. They have excellent knowledge of human anatomy and oral diseases, as well as first-class clinical skills. Most dentists work as general dental practitioners (GDPs), usually in a high street practice, providing dental care to the general public.
Dental hygienist Dental hygienists have a vital role in helping to prevent dental problems from arising. As a dental hygienist, they will show children and adults how to look after their teeth and gums. This can be on an individual basis or in groups. Dental hygienists carry out procedures such as: • scaling teeth (at times under local anaesthetic) • polishing teeth • applying topical fluoride and fissure sealants They work in hospitals and in community dental services, but most frequently in general dental practice. Many dental hygienists lead teams of oral health educators. Your work as a dental hygienist will save teeth by preventing and treating gum disease, helping people get rid of associated problems like bad breath.
Dental technician Dental technicians make the dentures, crowns, bridges and dental braces that improve patients’ appearance, speech and ability to chew. As a technician/technologist, much of the work will be done by hand to fine-tune each piece to exact specifications, but they will also work with specialised equipment in the laboratory. Since each patient is unique, no two pieces are the same and absolute precision is essential to make sure the device is comfortable and effective for the patient. Technicians and technologists use a wide range of materials to design and construct appliances and work in four specialist areas: • prosthodontic technicians design and make dentures • conservation technicians specialise in crown and bridge work • orthodontic technicians make braces to correct tooth positions • maxillofacial technicians' work is based in hospital oral surgery, ophthalmic, cancer and burns units, helping to reconstruct the faces of patients damaged by accident or disease
Receptionist Receptionists are often the first person patients see. They use customer service and admin skills to welcome people to a dentists practice, health centre, clinic or NHS provision. As a receptionist, they are often the first person that patients meet when they go to a dentist. They will: • book patients in for appointments • enter patients’ details onto computer systems • direct patients where to go within the department take payments • complete administration duties on behalf of the dental team
Team Role In recent years, oral health has improved as more of us are looking after our teeth better. The skills of the dental team, coupled with advances in dentistry, mean that a visit to the dentist is seen as a positive way to support health and well-being. There are still high levels of oral diseases to address, as well as maintaining and improving oral and general health.
Skills needed Most dental diseases are preventable, so it is important that all members of the dental team are skilled and qualified. Some skills and qualities are needed by everyone working in the dental team: • willingness to learn • good manual dexterity • an eye for detail • excellent people skills so you can deal with a broad range of people • ability to offer advice and educate others • team working
