Working as a dental assistant requires a variety of safety protocols to ensure the safety of both the patient and the dental staff. Sterilization, masks, gloves, and procedures are all key elements in maintaining a safe environment. Medical exam gloves are especially important, as they protect both the user and the patient. Let's take a closer look at why gloves are so important and what other safety measures should be taken. Gloves are essential for dental assistants, as they protect against communicable diseases that can be spread through saliva, blood, and other body fluids.
If a hole is detected in a glove, it should be immediately discarded and replaced. It is not acceptable to perform any type of procedure without gloves in the dental field. Dental assistants should also be aware of any open sores on patients and cover them with a bandage or band-aid before beginning any procedure. It is important to disclose any infectious diseases or sores to the dental assistant and dentist before beginning treatment.
When providing urgent or emergency dental care, or performing elective dental care during the pandemic, engineering controls should be used to protect dental workers, patients, and visitors from potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2.High-evacuation dental and suction systems should be used for aerosol-generating procedures to minimize droplet splashes and aerosols. Dentists who hold certificates with other qualifications such as conscious (moderate) parenteral dental sedation and conscious enteral dental sedation (moderate), whether issued to patients aged 13 or older or 12 years or younger, should not use or administer general anesthetics or deep sedation outside a hospital office or dental school. Dental hygienists can perform whitening services under the personal supervision of a licensed dentist, as Education Act § 6606 does not contain any statement about irreversible procedures or about the alteration of hard or soft tissue in the oral and maxillofacial area. In addition to wearing gloves when caring for patients, dental assistants should always wash their hands thoroughly after each patient. This will help prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as herpes that form sores in the mouth. Overall, working as a dental assistant requires knowledge of safety protocols to ensure the safety of both the patient and the staff. Gloves are essential for protecting against communicable diseases, while engineering controls should be used for aerosol-generating procedures. Dentists should not use or administer general anesthetics or deep sedation outside a hospital office or dental school.
Dental hygienists can perform whitening services under the personal supervision of a licensed dentist. Finally, it is important for dental assistants to wash their hands thoroughly after each patient.
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