Module 3
Clinical roles:
Clinical roles – roles that directly impact diagnosis, treatment and care –
root of patient care.
Dentists – diagnose and treat issues related to teeth, gums and oral
tissues. Handle procedures like fillings, extractions and root canals and
provide advice. Both preventative and restorative are. Can complete
additional training to offer more complex private treatments.
Therapists- fillings and minor extractions with focus on children and young
adults.
Hygienists – focus is on preventative care. Clean teeth, take X-rays and
educate patients. Preventing issues like gum disease and cavities.
Dentists
Diagnosing, treating and preventing oral health issues. Play a crucial role
in maintaining dental health, ensuring patients have strong, healthy teeth
and gums.
Key responsibilities: Diagnosing oral health issues (examinations and
interpreting x-rays to identify problems), perform treatments (fillings, root
canals and extractions), create treatment plans, educate patients,
manage patient care.
Specialising: General dentistry – routine care and overall maintenance.
Orthodontics – specialises in aligning teeth and jaws. Periodontics – Deals
with gum diseases and conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the
teeth. Oral surgery – involves complex procedures such as tooth
extractions and surgical treatments.
University : 5-year course. First 2 years devoted to studying dental theory.
Year three onwards there will be supervised clinical learning.
Essential skills : Empathy – show understanding and compassion,
particularly towards anxious or nervous patients, to make their experience
more comfortable. Problem solving - Address and resolve complex dental
issues with innovative solutions and approaches. Manual dexterity -
Perform delicate procedures with precision and care, ensuring the best
outcomes for patients.
Hygienists:
Focus on preventative oral health. Maintain and improve oral hygiene.
Key responsibilities: Preventative treatments – apply fluoride and dental
sealants to protect teeth from decay and strengthen enamel. Teeth
cleaning – remove plaque and tartar build up. This helps prevent cavities,
gum disease and other issues. Patient education – advise patients.
Essential skills : Communication - Clearly explain treatments and offer
advice in a way that’s easy for patients to understand. Empathy +
Patience - Show understanding and patience, especially with anxious
patients or those needing extra support during their visits. Attention to
detail - A keen eye for detail is crucial for performing thorough cleanings
and accurately recording patient information. Teamwork - Collaborate
effectively with dentists and other dental professionals to provide
comprehensive care and ensure the practice runs smoothly. Organisation -
Manage time efficiently and stay organised to handle various tasks and
responsibilities during patient appointments.
Therapists:
Work closely with dentists for preventative and restorative care.
Key responsibilities: Preventative care – fluoride and sealants for decay.
Restorative treatments: fillings and minor extractions. Patient education –
teach about good oral hygiene. Record keeping – maintain accurate
records of patient treatments and progress.
Essential skills : Communication - Clearly explain treatments and offer
advice in a way that’s easy for patients to understand. Empathy - Show
understanding, especially with anxious patients or those needing extra
support during their visits. Attention to detail - A keen eye for detail is
crucial for performing thorough cleanings and accurately recording patient
information. Adaptability – Handle various clinical situations and patient
needs with flexibility and ease. Teamwork - Collaborate effectively with
dentists and other dental professionals to provide comprehensive care
and ensure the practice runs smoothly.
Essential skills:
Blend of technical and soft skills. Technical for performing procedures
safely and accurately, soft skills foo effective communication and quality
patient care.
Technical skills: Manual dexterity – need steady hands and precise
movements to handle delicate instruments and perform procedures
effectively. Attention to detail – accuracy is vital, whether taking x-rays or
performing fillings, this is needed to diagnose and treat issues correctly.
Knowledge of oral anatomy – essential for delivering effective care and
making informed treatment decisions.
Soft skills: Communication – Clear and effective as need to explain
procedures, reassure nervous patients, and collaborate. Empathy –
Understanding and responding to patient needs. Organisation – Managing
appointments, keeping records and following sterilisation protocols.
Dental procedures:
Fillings: Fillings are used to treat cavities caused by tooth decay. After the
decayed part of the tooth is removed, the space is filled with a material
like composite resin or amalgam. This procedure prevents further damage
to the tooth and restores its function, helping to avoid more serious issues
down the line.
Root canals: Performed when the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or
damaged. The dentist removes the infected tissue, cleans inside the
tooth, and seals it to prevent further problems. This procedure help to
save a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted due to severe
infection or damage.
Extractions: Removing a tooth that is beyond repair or causing issues like
overcrowding. Dentists and dental surgeons carry out this procedure, with
dental nurses assisting by preparing instrument sand ensuring patients
comfort. Removing a problematic tooth can relieve pain, prevent further
complications, and create space for teeth.
Dental implants: A titanium screw, which a specially trained dentists can
surgically place into the jaw. This allows a prosthesis such as a crown or
denture to be fixed in place on top of the implant. A dental implant is a
way of replacing a tooth, or multiple teeth when they have been
previously lost. It’s an effective way of allowing the patient a fixed tooth
option to replace missing teeth, and giving them their smile back.