Dental Assisting Study Guide

• These notes are a guide to understanding key concepts and facts related to dental assisting, covering topics from emergency procedures to radiology.

Medical Emergencies

• Clenching of the teeth frequently accompanies an epileptic seizure.
• The abbreviation "q.i.d." in prescription writing means four times a day.
• If a patient has a crown lodged in their throat, perform an abdominal thrust.
• An antidote counteracts the effect of poison.
• The normal systolic blood pressure range for an adult male is between 100-120.
• Ibuprofen is the most commonly dispensed drug for post-operative pain.
• A mercury thermometer should be left in the patient's mouth for three minutes when taking an oral temperature.
• A depressed state of the body functions is called shock.
• A patient's pulse is typically obtained from the radial artery in most dental offices.
• The treatment for respiratory arrest involves performing CPR.
• Syncope refers to a lack of blood to the brain.
• A bleeding victim will likely show no harmful effect with the loss of 1 pint of blood.
• The normal respiration range for an adult is 12-20 breaths per minute.
• In an emergency, restore breathing first, then control bleeding, and treat for shock.
• In one-rescuer CPR, the ratio is 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
• The first step in a primary survey of an unconscious patient is to check for an open airway.
• Nitroglycerin alleviates an attack of angina pectoris.
• A serious problem can occur during oral surgery if an anticoagulant medication is being taken by the patient.
• When someone faints, place their head lower than the rest of their body.
• Anaphylactic shock is a sudden, violent allergic reaction.
• If a patient collapses with no pulse or breathing, call for help and start CPR.
• The normal body temperature reading for the average adult will be 98.6°F.
• Normal resting respiration should appear shallow and slow.
• When performing abdominal thrusts, the pinky side of the fist is placed against the patient's stomach.
• Insulin shock results from too much insulin or a decrease in blood sugar due to not enough food.
• The first aid treatment for a patient going into insulin shock is to have the patient ingest candy or a fruit drink.
• Angina pectoris is a pain in the cardiac region.
• An indicator that a patient requires CPR is the lack of a pulse.
• A normal diastolic blood pressure reading for an adult is 80 mm (millimeter of mercury).
• The most common emergency in the dental office is syncope.
• In case of an emergency, the patient's body temperature should be kept warm.
• To record blood pressure, the systolic reading is recorded first.
• A person in shock will show cool, pale skin, dilated pupils, and shallow breathing.
• Chest pain during an appointment could indicate angina pectoris or myocardial infarction.
• During an epileptic seizure, protect the patient from self-injury.
• When giving CPR, the victim's head should be level with the chest.
• Another name for angina pectoris is chest pain.
• If a patient complains of chest pain, give a nitroglycerin tablet.
• Slurred speech, inability to move an arm, and a droopy face are symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident.
• In case of an emergency, the patient should be kept lying down until help arrives.

Radiology

• RAD measures a unit of radiation absorbed dose.
• Dental radiographs are the property of the dentist.
• Poor rinsing of X-ray films may cause spots to form on the film.
• The first clinical sign of excessive exposure to radiation is erythema.
• For those who work with radiation, the maximum permissible dose is 100 mR/wk.
• Holding the X-ray tube when exposing film is not safe because the tube doesn't confine radiation.
• Air bubbles clinging to the surface of the film in the developer show up as white spots.
• An underexposed or underdeveloped radiograph has a light/faint image.
• Excessively dark radiographs may be caused by excessive kilovoltage power.
• When taking an x-ray, the patient's occlusal plane should be parallel to the floor.
• To adjust the exposure time, consider the number of gold restorations.
• A film will appear elongated when there’s insufficient vertical angulation.
• An intensifying screen changes x-ray energy into visible light.
• A maxillary dental periapical radiograph is identified by the sinuses.
• An aluminum filter removes low-energy, less penetrating, longer wavelength radiation.
• The most penetrating X-rays have short wavelengths.
• Fixing film removes the unaffected silver salts.
• If a film is not fixed long enough, it will turn brownish.
• The ideal temperature for developing x-rays in a manual tank is 68-72°.
• When operating the control switch, stand 6 feet from the patient.
• Underdeveloping an x-ray can cause the film to be light.
• A panoramic radiograph should NOT be used to detect and chart caries.
• The chemical film covering of a radiographic film is silver bromide salts.
• Milliamperage controls the heating of the cathode.
• A raised button on a radiograph helps to mount the film.
• A radiograph with a thin image may be caused by too short of time in the developer.
• Careless angulation of the X-ray tube may cause cone cutting.
• The thermometer should be located in the developer to accurately determine the temperature of processing solutions.
• Radiographs can be safely exposed to light during processing after fixing.
• OSHA requires that each office must post Materials Safety Date Sheets (MSDS).
• When taking an x-ray, the raised button on an x-ray doesn't matter.
• An EARLY warning indicator of X-ray dermatitis is reddening of skin.
• The most hazardous radiation to the operator is scattered.
• Exhausted developer will produce a thin, faded image.
• If the sinus area is shown on the radiograph, it indicates the film is of the maxillary molars.
• When mounting X-rays with the bump towards you, you are mounting as if you are facing the patient.
• The landmark on the face used to take a maxillary anterior occlusal film is the bridge of nose.
• The bitewing X-ray is designed to show the interproximal areas of the teeth.
• The organ(s) or tissue(s) most sensitive to ionizing radiation are the reproductive organs.
• Lead diaphragms must be small in the X-ray units because X-radiation is decreased.
• The use of a fast speed film X-radiation is decreased.
• If the milliamperage is increased the radiograph will appear darker.
• Tungsten is used in the construction of the anode target.
• Another term for a bite-wing X-ray is interproximal.