Basic Assisting Rules
The dental assistant plays a vital role in allowing the dental provider to see more patients and accomplish more treatment. In order to achieve efficiency and smoothness during the work day, it is necessary to adhere to the following assisting rules:
- One assistant must be with the doctor at all times
- When two patients are be treated simultaneously, one assistant must be with each patient
- Turn off the vacuum at the wall switch when it is not needed
- Each chart entry should be made clearly and completely, ready for the provider to initial
- Tools and materials should be unwrapped and organized before the provider enters the room
- Lab cases should be placed in the treatment room before the doctor enters the room
- Anticipate the doctor's request for a tool or material
- Work as quickly as possible, trying to be faster with each case
- After anesthesia, restorative and endodontic patients should have rubber dams placed
- One assistant must be with a sedated patient at all times
- The chairside assistant should dismiss the patient and return to clean and setup the room for the next patient
In addition:
- Create a relaxing and pleasing environment for the patient
- Always watch to see if the patient if comfortable
- Ensure that the TV is playing something and that it can be heard
- Watch where the suction tip is pressing against
- Avoid all unneccessary conversation when working on sedated patients
- Patients will tend to remember more if there is conversation
End of Day Procedures
- Turn off all TV's, video game machines, and DVD players
- Turn off all X-ray equipment and developer
- Turn off all lights
- Turn off air compressor
- Turn off back office computer
- Lock all doors