Involving the dental team in treatment planning enhances value to patients while boosting the practice's level of care. It is crucial that PCDs echo the concerns and recommendations of the dentist with the end goal of reinforcing the diagnosis and treatment plan.
How does the dental assistant explain the treatment to the patient?
The dental assistant needs to explain it to the patient using consistent language, in a way that makes it easy for the patient to understand. “Is it going to hurt? This is a tricky one because obviously each patient is different, each doctor is different, and each treatment is different.
What are a dental assistant’s most important priorities?
One of dental assistants’ most important priorities is providing patient care. Oftentimes, patients may feel nervous or uncomfortable about visiting the dental office. Dental assistants play an important role in helping to alleviate any anxiety patients may have.
Why is it important for dental assistants to use consistent language?
Even if the dentist uses language patients understand, patients aren’t always able to concentrate on what the dentist says and are already formulating questions. The dental assistant needs to explain it to the patient using consistent language, in a way that makes it easy for the patient to understand. “Is it going to hurt?
How can a dental assistant help with anxiety?
Dental assistants play an important role in helping to alleviate any anxiety patients may have. You make them feel welcome in the practice — so that they feel positive and comfortable about accessing needed, dentist-recommended treatment.
How do you explain a dental treatment plan?
1:176:26How to present dental treatment plans and why this presentation is so ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's important that we're confident. When we talk to patients about what they need we have toMoreIt's important that we're confident. When we talk to patients about what they need we have to remember that what we do is we help our patients keep their teeth for life.
Why is it important for the dental assistant to have a basic understanding of the structure and anatomy of the human body?
It is important to have knowledge of the anatomy and development of your teeth and mouth in order to maintain good oral health. By understanding normal mouth development and learning to recognize abnormal conditions, you will be able to maintain good oral hygiene and spot the early warning signs of problems or disease.
Why do you think it is important for a dental assistant to study and have a solid foundation and understanding in dental anatomy?
As a dental assistant, an understanding of basic dental anatomy is one of the primary building blocks upon which your career is built. Without this knowledge, you cannot understand what contributes to developmental disturbances and diseases of the mouth and teeth.
What should happen before the treatment plan is implemented in dentistry?
Preclinical exam—Before the examination begins, it is important that the dentist or team member conducts a preclinical exam to understand why the patient is there, past experiences, desired changes, any problems occurring, and more.
What do you think is the importance relevance of knowing and understanding the internal and external morphology of teeth?
Knowledge of tooth morphology and anatomy is important in dentistry. Crown morphology is essential in restorative treatment and prosthodontic treatment. External root morphology influences the success of oral surgery, periodontal treatment, orthodontic treatment, and prosthodontic treatment.
Why is it important to understand anatomy and physiology?
Anatomy and Physiology provide basic knowledge about the human body. It helps in clearing the fundamental concepts as to how our bodies function. With the help of the classes of anatomy and physiology, one gets to learn not only the theoretical concepts but practical functionalities of the human body too.
Why is it important for a dental assistant to be able to recognize and identify normal anatomical landmarks on a radiograph?
Mistakes in mounting radiographs have resulted in errors in treatment of the dental patient. Why is it important for the dental assistant to recognize anatomic landmarks? These lead to increased radiation exposure for the patient and the radiation worker and should be avoided.
Why is it important for dental assistants to understand head and neck anatomy?
Understanding the function and location of muscles in the head and neck area allows hygienists to recognize abnormalities in a patient's anatomy. Understanding the function and location of muscles in the head and neck area allows hygienists to recognize abnormalities in a patient's anatomy.
What are the benefits of a dental assistant?
Possible benefit requests.Paid holidays, vacation, time off and sick time.Employer contribution to retirement.Employer's malpractice insurance (if applicable)Health insurance plan.Uniform expenses.Reimbursement for continuing professional development and educational training.More items...
What is treatment plan?
Listen to pronunciation. (TREET-ment plan) A detailed plan with information about a patient's disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and possible side effects, and the expected length of treatment.
When is a treatment plan presented to the patient in dentistry?
It is during the sequencing stage that a dentist will flex their ability to handle complex issues and distill them into a comprehensive plan of action. To organize the stages into a proper sequence of treatments, a dentist should: Review the stages and the different treatments they plan to use.
What is prerequisite for formulating an appropriate treatment plan?
Treatment plans usually follow a simple format and typically include the following information:The patient's personal information, psychological history and demographics.A diagnosis of the current mental health problem.High-priority treatment goals.Measurable objectives.A timeline for treatment progress.More items...•
What is comprehensive treatment planning?
I believe that comprehensive treatment planning involves one or more specialists when a patient’s dental procedures would be most appropriately performed by a specialist in those procedures. This includes advanced orthodontics, periodontal soft and hard tissue surgery, third molar extraction, most root canal procedures, implant placement and all implant related surgeries such as sinus lifts and bone grafts.
What is extensive dentistry?
What is extensive dentistry? In general, it’s a series of procedures to eliminate active disease in the mouth, such as caries and periodontal inflammation; restore or replace teeth that are diseased, damaged or missing; therapies for temporomandibular joint pain that include occlusal splints for muscle relaxation, realignment of teeth, and modification of occlusal surfaces to create a harmonious bite; and also, procedures to make cosmetic corrections, oftentimes in concert with above mentioned procedures.
Is comprehensive diagnosis worth it?
Thorough diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning might take extra time, but I have learned it is worth it. Patients move forward with confidence, and the results are predictable. Life-transforming health, comfort, beauty, and optimal function are achieved.
Why do dentists need assistants?
Dental assistants often act as air-traffic controllers as they help to maintain the practice’s schedule and keep everything on track. Dental assistants promote more dental care by supporting the dentist and the rest of the team. The DALE Foundation tells us that nearly 100% of dentists and dental office managers believe dental assistants contribute to the productivity of the dental practice.
What is a dental assistant?
Dental assistants are on the front lines of keeping patients and providers safe. They are typically responsible for handling sterilization and disinfection of the dental instruments that are used to clean and treat your teeth.
Why is dental assistant important?
Dental assistants play an important role in helping to alleviate any anxiety patients may have.
What is the most important thing a dental assistant does?
“Sterilization is the most important thing we do, in my opinion,” says Stela C., CDA. Ultimately, the most important thing a dental assistant does is “ensure that patients receive the best care in a safe and welcoming environment,” concludes Latoya N., CDA.
How effective are dental assistants?
According to the DALE Foundation’s research on the Value of Dental Assistants to the Dental Practice, the majority (98%) of dentists and dental office managers responding agree that effective dental assistants contribute to team synergy and make all team members more effective . Additionally, dentists and dental office managers also agree that being a team player is one of the top 5 qualities a dental assistant can have.
What is the job of a dental assistant?
And it’s no wonder — dental assistants are tasked with the important job of maintaining the practice’s schedule and keeping everything on track. You ensure that the patients are seated on time or rescheduled when needed.
Why is it important to have a strong dental team?
When there’s a strong bond among dental teammates, the entire team shines. You operate seamlessly, and put forth a positive, professional image on behalf of the practice. The most successful teammates pitch in to help one another, and strive to uplift one another when the workday becomes stressful. Because you support your teammates, everyone finds success in the dentist’s office. This includes the dentist, the dental team and, most importantly, the patients.
Why are dentists called mind readers?
Dental assistants are frequently called “mind readers” because they are extremely helpful and observant of both the dentist’s and patient’s needs. Dental assistants have the ability to anticipate what’s next in the procedure and what the dentist will need so that the entire appointment goes quickly and smoothly.
What is the role of a dental assistant?
Beyond providing patient care and often having a hand in keeping the team and patients safe, dental assistants also can be counted on to keep the team on task and help maintain an overall positive rapport in the office.
Can a dental assistant perform infection control?
Additionally, some dental assistants may perform expanded functions duties if delegated by their employer dentists, as their states allow, or may perform infection control duties, front desk duties, and more. The sky is the limit for those dental assistants who are motivated to grow professionally, and they deserve recognition.
Why do patients turn to their dental assistant?
Patients typically turn to their dental assistant to ask questions in the dentist’s absence. Hopefully the dental assistant has earned the patient’s trust and the patient feels comfortable talking to the dental assistant. Patients tend to view dental assistants as unbiased third parties to the “transaction.”.
What is a dental assistant?
Dental assistants are the friendly faces that can make or break a patient's experience in an office. They are also key ingredients for a successful patient case acceptance. Dental assistants are usually the first point of clinical contact for patients. Greeting them with a welcoming introduction is important for putting patients at ease.
What should a dental assistant do before an X-ray?
Once the X-rays are completed, the dental assistant should seat the patient comfortably in the operatory with the chair back adjusted as needed. Prior to the dental exam, the dental assistant should discuss with the dentist the patient’s unique expectations for care that were discovered during the X-ray process.
Do patients have a naive attitude towards dentists?
Patients are not naive ; they are more educated and informed about their health care than ever before. They know dentists make a lot of money relative to most people, and they often regard the dental assistant as an hourly employee with little incentive in regard to case acceptance, other than the actual clinical dental care.
Do dental assistants need to be prepared?
That will save you quite a bit of time since you will already be in the chair and numb.”. Dental assistants should be well prepared in advance to answer each of these common questions, which helps make the dental team look like a well-oiled machine. Preparation is key.