Chapter 5: Patient Care: Dental
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Dentists
• Early History
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Ancient Egypt
• Hesi-Re (died in 2600 BC): first dentist known to historians
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Ancient Romans
• Promoted oral hygiene
• Used tooth-cleaning powders & toothpicks
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Ancient India & Islamic countries
• Physicians or surgeons performed dentistry
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Dentists (cont’d)
• The Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the 17th Century
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Medieval Europe
• Monks provided dental care
• Barbers were surgical assistants
• Catholic Church forbade monks to practice medical/dental
care
• Barbers became dental care providers
• Barber-surgeons extracted teeth
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Renaissance: renewed study of human anatomy, including
dental
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Dentists (cont’d)
• Dentistry in the U.S.
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Colonial America: physicians provide dental care
• Tooth-drawers, surgeon-dentists, barbers, & blacksmiths
extracted teeth
• Advertisements of services in newspapers (Paul Revere)
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1840: first dental college established, in Baltimore
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1859: American Dental Association formed
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By 1880: 28 dental schools established
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1928: creation of national exam
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Dentists (cont’d)
• Education
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4-year accredited dental school is standard
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58 accredited programs in U.S.
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Requirements for entering dental school:
• At least 2 years of college education (most have bachelor’s)
• Passing the Dental Admission Test (DAT)
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Diagnosing & treating tooth & gum disease in first 2 years
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Treatment of patients under supervision in last 2 years
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Schools award DDS or DMD degree
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Dentists (cont’d)
• Course Work
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Anatomy & physiology
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Biochemistry
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Microbiology
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Laboratory techniques
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Pharmacology
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Histology
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Dentists (cont’d)
• Licensure
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Required by all states
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Requires:
• Graduation from accredited dental school
• Passing of written & practical exam
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Dentists (cont’d)
• General Duties
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Apply a crown
Examine a patient’s teeth,
gums, & mouth
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Perform a root canal
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Extract a tooth
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Interpret an x-ray
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Apply braces
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Formulate a plan of
treatment
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Insert a dental implant
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Administer an anesthetic
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Fill a cavity
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Dentists (cont’d)
• Specialties
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Orthodontics
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Oral & maxillofacial surgery
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Pediatric dentistry
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Periodontics
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Prosthodontics
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Endodontics
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Dental public health
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Oral & maxillofacial pathology
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Oral & maxillofacial radiology
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Dentists (cont’d)
• Personal Characteristics
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Focus
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Self-discipline
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Manual dexterity
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Strong work ethic
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Communication skills
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Good problem-solving skills
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Genial personality
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Attention to detail
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Positive attitude
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Patience
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Thoroughness
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Dentists (cont’d)
• Employment Opportunities and Trends
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16% growth from 2008 to 2018
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In demand due to:
• Population growth
• Preventive care for younger people
• Increasing dental coverage among private insurance
companies
• Rising popularity of cosmetic dental services
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Dentists (cont’d)
• Professional Organization: ADA
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>157,000 members
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Advocates for dental profession & oral health
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Monitors policy issues in Congress, state legislatures, regulatory
agencies, & foreign governments
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Establishes standards for & accredits dental education programs
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Issues Dental Admission Test and National Board Dental
Examinations
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Develops standards for dental products & testing them
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Conducts scientific research
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Dental Hygienists
• History of the Profession
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1890: publication of Microorganisms of the Human Mouth by
Willoughby D. Miller
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1896: Alfred C. Fones integrated oral hygiene into practice
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1913: Fones opened first oral hygiene school
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1916: first university program started at Columbia University
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1923: formation of American Dental Hygienists’ Association
(ADHA)
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1951: all states required licensure
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1952: accreditation of schools begun
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1962: first national board exam administered
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Dental Hygienists (cont’d)
• Education
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Most programs offer associate’s degree
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Some offer certificate, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree
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Entrance requirements: HS diploma or equivalent
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Academic classes & supervised clinical instruction
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Dental Hygienists (cont’d)
• Course Work
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Basic science
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Dental science
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Dental hygiene science
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Dental Hygienists (cont’d)
• Licensure
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Required in all states
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Requires:
• Graduation from accredited program
• Passing written exam & clinical board exam
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Renewal required periodically (continuing education)
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Dental Hygienists (cont’d)
• Work Responsibilities
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Clean teeth
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Remove plaque & other materials from teeth & below gum line
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Polish teeth
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Examine mouth for tooth decay & gum disease
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Take x-rays
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Apply fluoride treatments, sealants, & other materials
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Make casts of patients’ teeth
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Dental Hygienists (cont’d)
• Personal Characteristics
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Detail oriented
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Manual dexterity
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Efficient
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Well-organized
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Good people skills
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Patient
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Flexible
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Dental Hygienists (cont’d)
• Employment Opportunities and Trends
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Rapid growth: 36% between 2008 & 2018
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Ranks first among all occupations requiring associate’s degree
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Job growth due to:
• Increase demand for dental services due to expanding
population
• Aging population
• Growing focus on preventive care
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Dental Hygienists (cont’d)
• Professional Organization: ADHA
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Three-tier structure: national, state, local
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Monitors legislation & federal activities
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Represents profession before Congress
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Advocates on issues of scope of practice, education, & licensing
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Promotes dental hygiene education & research through
fellowships & grants
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Offers continuing education programs, networking, employment
assistance program
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Dental Assistants
• History of the Profession
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C. Edmund Kells, dentist
• Founder of dental assisting
• Hired female assistant in 1885, starting a trend
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Milestones in the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)
• 1921: Juliette Southard started ADAA
• 1930: educational guidelines & training developed
• 1944: standards & a competency exam developed
• 1946: first 140-hour training course adopted
• 1948: certifying board established (DANB)
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Dental Assistants (cont’d)
• Education
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Some trained on the job; most trained in programs
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Programs:
• At community/junior colleges, trade schools, technical
institutes, & the military
• Most last 1 year & award certificate or diploma
• Some last 2 years & award associate’s degree
• Require HS diploma
• Include clinical practice with a dentist
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Dental Assistants (cont’d)
• Course Work
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Dental materials
Oral & written
communication
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Chairside assisting
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Dental radiology
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Oral health education
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Psychology
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Anatomy and physiology
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Practice management
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Microbiology
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Oral pathology
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Nutrition
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Pharmacology
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Dental Assistants (cont’d)
• Regulation, Licensure, and Certification
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States regulate duties
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Licensure or registration for expanded functions in some states
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Licensure requires completing accredited program, passing exam
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Continuing education required for renewal of license
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Two certification credentials offered by DANB:
• Certified Dental Association (CDA)
• Certified Orthodontic Association (COA)
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Two specialty areas: radiation health & safety and infection
control
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Dental Assistants (cont’d)
• Work Responsibilities
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Open office & daily routine
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Prepare dental treatment
room
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Set up instrument trays
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Seat patient
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Take & develop x-rays
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Hand instruments to
dentist
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Instruct patients in oral
hygiene
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Clean & polish removable
appliances
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Complete health history
records
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Prepare bank deposits
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Dental Assistants (cont’d)
• Personal Characteristics
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Reliable
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Comfortable working under supervision
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Work well with others
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Good communication skills
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Manual dexterity
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Dental Assistants (cont’d)
• Employment Opportunities and Trends
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>295,000 jobs in 2008
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36% growth between 2008 & 2018
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More than one-third work part-time
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Dental Assistants (cont’d)
• Professional Organization: ADAA
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Largest professional organization representing dental assistants
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DANB: certifying board of ADAA
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Credentials recognized or required in 37 states
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Provides home-study continuing education classes
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