Going to the Dentist

1. Going to the Dentist

2. What does fluoride do? Visiting the Dentist: • What is it like? • Who do we see? • What do you smell? • What happens? • Why do we visit the dentist?

3. Reception • When you visit the dentist the first person to greet you is the dental receptionist. • They ask you to take a seat in the waiting room, until the dentist is ready to see you. • Then they will let the dentist know you have arrived.

4. The Dental Surgery • Does anyone know what we will see in the surgery?

5. Dental Surgery equipment: • Dentist • Dental Nurse • Patient • Protective equipment: • Gloves, mask, goggles, visor, uniform • Dental chair • Light • Sink and mouthwash • Napkins • Bib • Handpieces • Handpieces cart • Examination instruments • Mirror, probe, 3-in-1 syringe, cotton wool, tweezers

6. Can you spot any of the equipment?

7. The Dental Nurse: • Collects you from the waiting room. • Takes you to the surgery. • Assists the dentist: • Hands instruments to the dentist • Adds to your notes • Supports the dentist during any treatment

8. The Dentist • Will ask if you’ve had any problems or any painful teeth. • Will check you are comfortable before looking in your mouth.

9. The Patient: • Here is someone having their teeth checked by the dentist:

10. The treatment: • Suction takes saliva away • The dentist uses a mirror and explorer/probe to look around the mouth • The dentist calls out numbers and letters to the nurse • These are codes for your teeth • The nurse notes this information on your dental record card.

11. Protective Equipment 1: • The dental team must wear protective equipment to protect themselves and their patients from bacteria:

12. Protective Equipment 2: • As well as gloves, mask and visor, the dentist will also wear protective clothing. • The uniform must only be worn in the dental surgery to prevent the spread of bacteria.

13. The Dental Chair: • The dental chair can be moved into many positions. • This is so the dentist can see into the back of your mouth. • It is controlled by a foot pedal. • It has accessory ‘arms’ to help the dentist.

14. The Light: • Is very bright and has plastic covers to stop the spread of bacteria from patient to patient.

15. The Mouthwash and Sink: • The dentist may ask you to rinse your mouth and spit into the bowl. • These are used more often when you are having a filling or similar treatment.

16. Handpiece and handpiece cart: • During a check up the dentist is unlikely to use anything from the handpiece cart. • These are mainly used for fillings.

17. Examination Instruments: • Mouth mirror – lets the dentist see every part of your mouth! • Explorer (probe) – to feel your teeth with • Cotton wool – soaks up saliva to help the dentist see more clearly. • The 3-in-1 tip puffs air & sprays water.

18. The Team at work: • A dental check only takes a few minutes.

19. Does anyone have any questions…?