Introduction to Dentistry and Teamwork

Study Notes

Introduction to Dentistry

Dentistry is a skilled, technical, and sometimes stressful profession.
Patient health and safety are paramount.
All individuals involved in dental care should be respected, valued, and work effectively as part of a team.

Dental Teamwork

A dental team consists of a group of people working together to provide high-quality dental care.
The dental team's structure can vary based on patient needs.
Teamwork is not just limited to those in the same dental practice.

Members of the Dental Team

Dentist: The head of the dental team, responsible for everything in the dental office. Licensed as a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry).
Dental Auxiliaries/Ancillaries: A generic term for individuals who assist dentists. Their duties range from simple tasks to complex procedures as part of patient treatment. Not qualified with a dental degree.
- Non-Operating Auxiliary: Assists the dentist in clinical work but doesn't perform independent procedures in the oral cavity. Can include tasks like dental secretary/receptionist, dental health educator, dental surgery assistant, and dental laboratory technician.
- Operating Auxiliary: Not a dentist; permitted to perform certain treatment procedures in the mouth under the direction and supervision of a professional. Includes dental hygienists, dental therapists, school dental nurses & expanded function dental auxiliaries
  - Dental Hygienist: Performs scaling, polishing of teeth, topical fluoride applications, and dental health education.
    - Clinical Dental Hygienist: Usually focuses on individual patient care.
    - Public Health Dental Hygienist: Screens and examines patients, refers patients for treatment, and does classroom teaching.
  - Dental Therapist: An operating auxiliary that carries out preventive and treatment measures under a supervising dentist, including cavity preparation and filling/restoration. Not permitted to diagnose or plan dental care.
  - Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries: Have received additional training to perform related duties under the supervision of a dentist; can perform reversible procedures, which are correctable without harming the patient.
- Operating Auxiliary Functions: Includes placing & removing rubber dams, placing & removing temporary restorations, placing & removing matrix bands, placing acrylic restorations in prepared teeth, condensing & carving amalgam restorations in prepared teeth, and applying a final finish & polish to restorations.
- Dental Laboratory Technician (Dental Mechanic): Fabricates oral appliances (dentures, bridges, crowns, splints, orthodontic appliances). Typically works in a separate commercial laboratory, rather than a dental office.

Dental Organizations

American Dental Association (ADA): Founded in 1859 at Niagara. Their publication is the Journal of the American Dental Association. Their mission is to serve the public and the profession of dentistry by promoting public health through the commitment of member dentists, enhancing the integrity and ethics of the profession, and strengthening the patient/dentist relationship.
British Dental Association (BDA): Provides legal, health, and safety, and educational advice to members and influences government policy in the UK.
British Dental Health Foundation: Aims to help people improve their oral health through projects, information, and oral health education and promotion.
General Dental Council: Regulates dental professionals in the United Kingdom.
World Health Organization (WHO): The directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system.
World Dental Federation (FDI): Develops and disseminates policies, standards, and information related to oral health worldwide, publishing FDI policy statements.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Ensures the safety of America's food and medical supplies (imported or produced domestically). Assures the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinarian drugs, biological products, medical devices, cosmetics, and products emitting radiation. Also advancing public health.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD): Represents the specialty of pediatric dentistry; composed of 7,000 members serving millions of children from infancy through adolescence.
American Academy of Periodontology (AAP): Represents dental professionals specializing in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum diseases and supporting structures of the teeth. Includes periodontists and general dentists.