What are the work base actvities of a Dental Nurse?

Answer 1

Hi,

Firstly I think some people on here are getting a little confused.

In the UK a Dental Nurse (Yes that IS the correct terminology in this country) is different to Dental Hygienist.

In fact if you use the most up to date terminology we are Professionals Complimentary To Dentistry,both have to be reigistered with the General Dental Council. And both will have had substantial training a Hygienist to Diploma or Degree level.

I have been a qualified Dental Nurse and am Now a Registered Dental Hygienist.

A Dental Nurse assists the dentist, a Hygienist does NOT, in fact a Dental nurse may also assist a Hygienist. A Hygienist specialises in preventive dentistry and the treatment of Periodontal (gum) disease.

Anyway back to the original question.....!

As a Dental Nurse your main job is looking after the patient, making sure that they are comfortable.

You assist the Clinician, be they a Dentist or Hygienist with the dental procedure, clean and sterilise instruments, ensure good cross infection control,develop x-rays, and on the whole make thing run smoother for everyone.

You need to be motivated, neat, concientious,a good people person and above all a good laugh.(Dentistry can be pretty stressful).

hope this helps clear up the confusion....

And to the person who thinks that Dental Nurses are not worthy of the name Nurse, these girls (although there are some male Nurses) do a great job, have a lot more responsibilities and duties than you might think and have often trained for at least two years yet still often get paid considerably less than people that stack supermarket shelves. I think they are more than worthy......

Answer 2

A "dental nurse" isn't the correct term. It would either be a dental assistant, or an expanded duties dental assistant. An expanded duties assistant is educated and trained to do everything chairside to the patient that a dentist can do except give anesthetic, and drill on a patient's tooth. After reading "tweetybird's" entry, I must add that a trained expanded duties assistant with some experience can make anywhere up to $28.00 an hour. About the same as a floor nurse in a hospital.

Answer 3

A dental nurse is an essential part of the dental team, helping to ensure that the patient is well cared for. It is important that a dental nurse has a welcoming and reassuring manner and is seen to be calm, friendly and efficient.

The dental nurse is responsible for implementing the practice's infection control and health and safety policies. Additional duties include processing radiographs, helping the dentist to record information about the patient’s oral health, and stock control.

The dental nurse works closely with the dentist providing assistance throughout the patient’s visit. Assisting the dentist includes a variety of procedures such as instrument exchange, removing water and saliva from the patient's mouth, sterilisation of instruments and preparation of certain materials.

The dental nurse is responsible for looking after the patient and helping the dentist to complete his or her clinical work as efficiently and smoothly as possible, so there is a need to be flexible, adaptable and reassuring. A dental nurse is usually the patient’s first contact on entering the dentist's surgery and so must be able to put the patient at ease, recognising that people are often very nervous at the dentist's.

In general dental practice, you may work in several areas of the surgery, you may be asked to help at reception - making appointments, collecting money and getting involved in the administration of the practice. The varying roles that you might undertake will depend upon the practice’s particular requirements.

Answer 4

There really is no such thing as a Dental Nurse. I am a nurse and I resent the use of the term "nurse" when referring to a dental assistant. The word "nurse" implies more education, more clinical training and a state board of nursing-issued license that a dental assistant simply doesn't have. Otherwise, the duties listed by another person seem accurate.

Answer 5

To have all the relevant instruments and materials ready for all dental procedures through out the day, to make the patient feel at ease, to take x-rays ( not all dental nurses do this ) to take medical histories for all new patients, to make sure all the relevant note and x-rays are present, to ALWAYS be on step ahead of the dentist. And the most important to put the kettle on when a patient doesn't turn up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

The jod of a dental nurse is to help the dentist out. Like an assistant.

Answer 7

From recent adventure with awareness tooth, and throat tumors and burns..... the sexyest nurse ( in holding with straightforward beliefs) I talked about changed into on the Lister medical institution in Stevnage, seconded by the dental nurse on the own dentist I visited (NHS que busting use of deepest dentists). The QEII medical institution in Welwyn has a reliable style of very appealing proper sized (14 plus) older 40yrs plus women human beings on the employees, and for me.... thats merely the thanks to take my ideas off the tumor. likely get reported for being offensive to skinny young women now, yet I dnt care.

Answer 8

The role of a Dental Nurse is to assist the Dentist in the surgery at chairside, she must be able to think ahead, not be squeamish, she must be able to regonise instruments, and different types of materials used in the surgery be able to basically think while standing, be fast and hard working

Answer 9

My dental surgeon had a nurse on staff. RN, a real one, not a hygienist with expanded duties and education. She helped with anesthesia, monitored the patient, and helped assist, there was also a dental assistant present.
I know this, because she introduced herself to me and my mother, who is a nurse. We knew her, she used to work where my mother did.

Answer 10

There is no such thing as a dental "nurse". In the dental office you will find the hygienist who cleans the teeth and does the x-ray and the chair side assistant that assists the dentist with his needs such as providing instruments, mixing dental materials and suctioning the patient.