Safety Tutorial for Dental Assistant

1. Safety TutorialforDental Assistant Tara Fallik Oyster Bay High School Oyster Bay, New York

2. Remove sutures Preparing patients for examination Obtaining dental records Handing instruments and materials to Doctor. Keep patients mouths dry and clear Apply topical anesthetics Sterilize and disinfect instruments Prepare trays of instruments Instruct patients on post-operative care Prepare materials for impressions and restorations Take dental x-rays Process x-ray film Training Tasks for Job Title

3. Pre-Test • Dental Assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. True or False 2. Most assistants learn their skills on the job True or False 3. High School students interested in a career as a dentist should take courses in Biology. True or False 4. Most dental assistants work part-time; True or False 5. Dental assistants can prescribe pain medicine; True or False

4. Answers to Pre-Test • Dental Assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. True or False 2. Most assistants learn their skills on the job True or False 3. High School students interested in a career as a dentist should take courses in Biology. True or False 4. Most dental assistants work part-time; True or False 5. Dental assistants can prescribe pain medicine; True or False

5. Appropriate Clothes • Dental Assistants must wears gloves,, masks, and eyewear • Protective clothing must be worn to protect themselves against infectious diseases (generally scrubs) • White shoes with rubber soles for comfortness

6. Safety Equipment • Plastic covers on all dental tools • Proper measures and protection against risks associated with the use of x-ray machines • First Aid Kit

7. Tools • Davis Post Kit • Finger Ruler • Endo Gum • Endo Torque America Plus • Endo Tray Boxes • Cordless Thermal Condenser • Drills • File • Needles

8. Equipment/Machinery • Denti-Lab • Fiber-Optic Push brush • X-Ray Machine • T- Connector • High Pressure Tubing • Mouth angle clip • Instrument holder • Probe cord and reel • Saliva injector Clip • Air Abrasion

9. Electrical • Drills • Air Suction • Chair • Full mouth x-ray machine

10. Floors, Doors, Exits All floors within the office are linoleum for sterilization purposes. There are doors with locks to all examination rooms as well as a main entrance door and rear entrance/exit door There are two exits in the office. On in the reception area and one in the rear of the office.

11. Chemical Hazards • Silica Dust • Beryllium • Waste Anesthetic Gases • Electroplating chemicals • Methyl methacrylate • Metals such as beryllium, chromium, cobalt, and nickel.

12. Infectious diseases • Silicosis - a disabling and incurable lung disease. • Bloodborne Pathogens – HIV • Chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a debilitating and often fatal lung disease, or lung cancer. • N2o exposure – can cause impaired fertility among female dental assistants exposed to N2O

13. Fire Where are the fire extinguishers? The fire extinguishers are located near the front entrance of the office as well as in examining room #2. Each fire extinguisher are inspected on an annual basis. The fire exit is located through the main office door as well as the rear door located at the end of the main corridor.

14. Robbery, Bomb Scares In the case of a robbery: The worker can trigger a silent police alarm. There is a silent alarm located under the reception are desk. The worker will be instructed to give the robber anything he asks for and to do anything her asks for. In the case of a bomb scare: The worker is to remain calm and in a orderly fashion, escort all patients out of the office. Once patients have been evacuated, workers should evacuate as well. An elected individual must check the office to make sure everyone is out. Once out of the building, the police should be called.

15. Angry/threatening Customers Should a patient become agitated and begin giving a employee a problem, the employee should call the office manager or Dentist to handle the patient. The employee (dental assistant) should not try to handle this on their own until they have had proper training to do so.

16. HOW and to WHOM DO YOU REPORT AN INJURY If an injury should occur on the premises, a full injury report should be taken with the injured signature. The injured should be asked if they would like an ambulance to be called. If the injured is critically injured, they should not be moved until the ambulance arrives.

17. If a patient falls and injures themselves, the employee should pick them up and move them to a chair: True or False All employees should wear jeans to work everyday: True or False There are no infectious diseases that can be contracted in a dental office: True or False Tools may be used a few times before being sterilized: True or False A dental assistant’ s job is the fill cavities: True or False Post Test

18. Answers to Post Test If a patient falls and injures themselves, the employee should pick them up and move them to a chair: True or False All employees should wear jeans to work everyday: True or False There are no infectious diseases that can be contracted in a dental office: True or False Tools may be used a few times before being sterilized: True or False A dental assistant’ s job is the fill cavities: True or False

19. Safety Web Resources www.dol.gov