Download Chapter 7 Body Systems

The clinical assistant assumes the
important responsibility of preparing
treatment areas, assisting the dentist
in procedures, and carrying out
expanded functions.
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Doctor and Assistant; Doctor and 2 Auxiliaries
Purposes:
› Relieve fatigue/Reduce stress
› Increase production
› Increase patient comfort
› Improved quality of care
Components of work simplification
› Decreased number of instruments.
› Sequencing of instruments on the tray by their use
› Correct positioning of the patient, dentist, and assistant
› Use of appropriate moisture-control techniques.
› Transfer of instruments and dental materials as necessary
› Use of the least possible amount of motion
› Performance of expanded functions by the assistant
Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Patient
› Lowered to the supine position
› Head even with the top of the headrest
› Final adjustments made by the operator
› Define: supine and subsupine/Trendelenburg
position
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Operator positioning
› Seated as far back as possible.
› Thighs parallel to the floor or knees slightly
lower than the hips
› Feet flat on the floor
› Backrest of the chair positioned to support
the lower portion or small of the back
› Operator’s forearms bent at the elbow and
parallel to the floor
Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Dental assistant
› Seated back on the stool
› Feet on the base or foot ring of the stool
› Positioned as close as possible to the dental
chair
› Legs parallel to the patient’s chair
› Eye level 4 to 6 inches above the eye level of
the operator
Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Basic concept required for the
efficient, comfortable practice of
team dentistry
Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Operator Zone
area where the person who
completes the procedure is seated
 Assistant Zone
area where the dental assistant is
positioned
 Transfer Zone
area where instruments and dental
materials are exchanged between the
dental assistant and the dentist
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Static Zone
located directly behind the patient

Operator Zone (right handed)
7 to 12 o'clock
 Transfer Zone (right handed)
4 to 7 o'clock
 Assistant's Zone (right handed)
2 to 4 o'clock
Static Zone (right handed)
 12 to 2 o'clock
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Operator's zone (left handed)
12 to 5 o'clock
 Transfer zone (left handed)
5 to 8 o'clock
 Assistant's zone (left handed)
8 to 10 o'clock
 Static zone (left handed)
10 to 12 o'clock
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Three basic grasps
› Pen grasp: The instrument is held in the same
manner as a pen. Used with angled shank
instruments
› Palm grasp: The instrument is held securely in
the palm of the hand. Used with pliers or
hinged instruments
› Palm-thumb grasp: The instrument is held in
the palm of the hand and the thumb is used
to stabilize and guide the instrument. Used
with straight shank instruments
Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Class I: finger movement only
 Class II: finger and wrist movement only
 Class III: finger, wrist and elbow movement
only
 Class IV: entire arm from the shoulder
movement
 Class V: entire upper torso movement
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Understand the sequence of procedures and
anticipate when an instrument transfer is required.
Transfer dental instruments and dental materials with
the left hand when working with right-handed operator.
Transfer with right hand when working with left-handed
operator
Transfer of instruments should be accomplished with a
minimum of motion, involving only the fingers, wrist, and
elbow.
Instruments are transferred in their position of use.
An instrument is transferred so that the dentist can grasp
the instrument for its appropriate use.
An instrument being transferred must be positioned
firmly in the dentist's hand.
Pickup instrument from tray using thumb,
index and middle finger
 Come in parallel to instrument in
operator’s hand
 Retrieve instrument using last two fingers
(ring and pinky fingers)
 Place new instrument firmly in operator’s
hand
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Variations in instrument transfer
› Mirror and explorer
› Cotton pliers
› Handpiece
› Instruments with hinges
Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Understand dental anatomy.
 Follow guidelines for operator
positioning.
 Develop intraoral mirror skills.
 Use an intraoral fulcrum.
 Understand cavity preparations.
 Adapt instrumentation.
 Apply dental materials.
 Evaluate the expanded function.
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Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.