The Dental Office Chapter 32 Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction Patients often judge the quality of care by the appearance of the dental office! Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Office Environment • Temperature – Reception area 72° F – Clinical area 68°-70° F – Air exchange should remain constant • Lighting – Reception area: table and floor lamps – Business area: fluorescent lighting – Clinical area: fluorescent lighting and clinical lighting Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Office Environment-cont’d • Wall and Floor Coverings – Use colors that are calming. – Floor covering • Durable carpet in reception, business, and private office areas. • Vinyl in clinical and laboratory areas. • Traffic Control – Smooth transition to all areas of the office. – Separate areas to business, clinical, and private. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Office Environment-cont’d • Sound Control – Minimize sound of the dental equipment. – Music provides distraction for dental sounds. • Privacy – Administrative area – Dentist’s office – Staff lounge Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Specific Areas of the Dental Office • Reception Area • Administrative/Business Office • Clinical Treatment Area • Sterilization Center • Dental Laboratory • Dentist’s Private Office • Dental Staff Lounge Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Reception Area • Patients are received, greeted pleasantly, and made to feel welcome. NOT A WAITING ROOM! • Things to remember: – Keep area clean. – Ensure adequate seating. – Maintain up-to-date reading material. – Provide place for coats and umbrellas. – Offer a children's corner. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-1 Reception area (From Young A, Procter D: Kinn’s the medical assistant: an applied learning approach, ed 9, St. Louis, 2003, Saunders.) Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Administrative Area • Hub for the management or the business side of the practice. • Items include: – Desk – Telephone systems – Computers – Photocopier – Fax machine – Storage area for patient records Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-4 The administrative area Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Treatment Area • Also referred to as the dental operatory; all clinical treatment is provided here. • Design Goal: – Provide comfort and mobility for the dental team. – Provide privacy and comfort for the dental patient. – Enhancement in the use of dental equipment through time management and efficient techniques. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-5 Treatment area (Courtesy A-dec.) Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Patient Dental Chair • Specific Features – Should provide full support to knees, bottom, back and head – Comfortable and movable chair arms – Easy to maintain and clean – Controls for adjusting the patient • Upright Position: back of the chair is upright at a 90-degree angle • Supine Position: patient is lying down so that the patient's head and knees will be at approximately the same level. • Subsupine Position: patient's head is lower than the feet. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-6 Patient dental chair (Courtesy A-dec.) Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Operator’s Stool • Type of stool designed to support the body for a prolonged period in a fixed muscular activity. • Specific Features – Large seat and back – Easily adjustable for back support – Easy to lower and raise seat – Casters to move around patient Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Assistant’s Stool • Type of stool that must provide stability, mobility, and comfort, allowing a proper, fatigue-reducing posture. • Specific Features – Twists and turns to reach countertops and shelves – Provides an adjustable foot platform or foot ring – Firm, secure cushioning in the seat – Abdominal bar positioned for support – Casters to move the chair easily Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-11 Dental assistants and operator’s stool (Courtesy A-dec.) Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Unit • Provides the necessary electrical and air-operated mechanics to the hoses, attachments, and working parts of the unit. • Dental Unit Delivery Systems – Front Delivery: Positioned over the patient's lap. – Side Delivery: Positioned at either side of the patient's chair. – Rear Delivery: Positioned behind the dental chair. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fig. 32-12 Dental unit (Courtesy A-dec.) Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Additional Clinical Equipment • Rheostat – A foot-controlled device placed on the floor near the operator to control the function of the dental handpieces • Dental unit waterlines – Supplies water through hoses or water lines into the dental handpieces • Air-water syringe – Hand-held instrument attached to the dental unit – Functions • Delivers a stream of water • Delivers a stream of air • Delivers a combined spray of air and water Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Additional Clinical Equipment-cont’d • Operating Light – Used to illuminate the oral cavity during a dental procedure • Oral Evacuation System – A means for removing water, saliva, blood, and other fragments during a dental procedure – Types • Saliva ejector • High-volume evacuator (HVE) Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Additional Clinical Equipment-cont’d • Disposable Traps – Filtering mechanisms for the saliva ejector and high-volume evacuator • Curing Light – Used to “harden” or light-cure dental materials • Amalgamator – Used to triturate dental materials by vigorously shaking the ingredients Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Additional Clinical Equipment-cont’d • Central Vacuum Compressor – Provides the suction needed for the oral evacuation systems • Central Air Compressor – Provides compressed air for the air-water syringe and air-driven handpieces Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Care of Clinical Areas • Morning Routine – Arrive 30 minutes before the first scheduled patient of the day. – Turn on the master switches for the central air compressor and vacuum units. – Ready the dental treatment rooms for patient care. – Recheck the appointment schedule. – Set up the treatment room for the first patient. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Care of Clinical Areas • Evening Routine – Complete the operatory room exposure control clean-up and preparation protocols. – Turn off all equipment. – Ensure that treatment rooms are adequately stocked for the next day. – Post appointment schedules for the next workday. – Ensure that instruments, patient records, and laboratory work are ready for the next day. – Ensure that sterilization center has been cleaned. – Ensure that treatment rooms are ready for use. – Place any soiled protective clothing in the appropriate container. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Central Sterilization • Specific area for: – Cleaning, sterilizing, and storage of instruments – Divided into “contaminated area”/“clean area” – Provides extra storage for supplies – Should be kept organized and clean at all times Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Laboratory • Organized area away from patient care for dentist and dental assistant to perform laboratory procedures. • Specific items found: – Workbenches – Storage cabinets – Model trimmer – Dental lathe – Laboratory materials Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Dentist’s Private Office • For personal use only by the dentist. • Can also be used as a consultation room with patients. • Specific items found: – Desk – Telephone – Computer – Extra chairs Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Dental Staff Lounge • Designated private area for clinical and business staff • Specific items found: – Table and chairs – Small refrigerator – Microwave – Locker or locked cabinet for personal belongings – Coffee/food Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.