Role of Dental Auxiliaries in Dental Health by Batch B of Final BDS (January 2015 Batch) Submitted Is a Bonafide Work Done Under My Guidance and Supervision
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P a g e | 2 Certificate This is to certify that the subject seminar on Role of Dental Auxiliaries in Dental health by Batch B of Final BDS (January 2015 batch) submitted is a bonafide work done under my guidance and supervision. Date: Signature of Faculty Department of Public Health Dentistry Manipal College of Dental Sciences Manipal P a g e | 3 Internal Examiner External Examiner P a g e | 4 Contents Introduction................................................................................................................ 4 Classification by W.H.O (1967)...................................................................................5 Degrees of Supervision...............................................................................................6 (A) Non-Operating Dental Auxiliaries......................................................................9 1. Dental Receptionist.............................................................................................9 2. Dental assistant................................................................................................13 Educational and licensing requirements in U.S.................................................................13 Earnings and salary............................................................................................14 3. Dental Health Educator.....................................................................................15 4. Dental Technician..............................................................................................19 (B) Operating Auxiliaries.......................................................................................23 1. School Dental Nurse..........................................................................................23 2. Dental Hygienist................................................................................................27 3. Expanded Functions/Duties of Operating Dental Auxiliaries (EFDA OR EDDA)..29 Frontier Auxiliaries....................................................................................................31 Dental Manpower in India.........................................................................................34 Conclusion................................................................................................................ 40 References................................................................................................................ 41 P a g e | 5 Introduction A dental auxiliary is a person who is given responsibility by a dentist so that he/she can help the dentist render dental care, but who is not himself or herself qualified with a dental degree. The duties undertaken by dental auxiliaries range from simple tasks such as sorting instruments to relatively complex procedures which form part of the treatment of patients. P a g e | 6 Classification by W.H.O (1967) 1) Non Operating Auxiliaries Clinical – This is a person who assists the professional (dentist) in his clinical work but does not carry out any independent procedures in the oral cavity. Laboratory – This is a person who assists the professional by carrying out certain technical laboratory procedures. 2) Operating Auxiliaries This is a person who, not being a professional is permitted to carry out certain treatment procedures in the mouth under the direction and supervision of a professional. REVISED CLASSIFICATION 1) Non Operating Auxiliaries Dental surgery assistant Dental secretary/receptionist Dental laboratory technician Dental health educator 2) Operating Auxiliaries School dental nurse Dental therapist Dental Hygienist Expanded function dental auxiliaries P a g e | 7 Degrees of Supervision ADA (1975) defined four degrees of supervision of auxiliaries, with the assumption that ultimate responsibility was assumed by licensed dentist. 1. GENERAL SUPERVISION: The dentist has authorized the procedures and they are being carried out in accordance with the diagnosis and treatment plan completed by dentist. The supervisor provides continuing or individual assignments by indicating generally what is to be done, limitations, quality and quantity expected, deadlines and priorities. Additional, specific instructions are given for new, difficult, or unusual assignments. The employee uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments. The supervisor assures that the work is technically accurate and in compliance with instructions or established procedures. 2. DIRECT SUPERVISION: It is a term that is used to refer to situations in which a supervisor is present at all times. The supervisor oversees activities as they occur and provides constant direction, feedback, and assistance. For some types of workplaces, direct supervision is required for safety and health reasons. In others, it may be strongly recommended to make a workplace run P a g e | 8 more smoothly. : The dentist is in the dental office, personally diagnoses the condition to be treated, personally authorizes the procedure and before dismissal of the patient, evaluates the performance of the dental auxiliary One example of a workplace in which direct supervision is required is in a medical practice. Technicians may need direct supervision for performing certain types of procedures. While they are authorized to do these procedures, they cannot do them without being monitored by a doctor. For example, a dentist may be required to supervise a dental hygienist during certain types of dental procedures. Likewise, a veterinarian must be present for some procedures performed by a veterinary technician. Another setting in which direct supervision is used is prisons and jails. In a facility that uses this approach to managing inmates, people are incarcerated in “pods,” which consist of cells that surround a public day area. A corrections officer works in the day area, not a private office or secured area, interacting directly with inmates when they are out of their cells. This allows for rapid intervention in the event that problems develop and it also provides a mechanism for monitoring behavior to offer rewards for good behavior. 3. INDIRECT SUPERVISION: Indirect supervision is characterized by some form of authority over the work of employees not under direct supervision. In other words, the "supervisor" who provides indirect supervision is responsible for the work, but not for the worker. The descriptions above were written in relation to the employee under direct supervision; the following subsections describe persons with responsibility for exercising indirect supervision. The dentist is in the dental office, authorizes the procedures P a g e | 9 and remains in the dental office while the procedures are being performed by the auxiliary. 4. PERSONAL SUPERVISION: The dentist is personally operating on a patient and authorizes the auxiliary to aid treatment by concurrently performing supportive procedures. P a g e | 10 (A) Non-Operating Dental Auxiliaries 1. Dental Receptionist PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Responsible for administering the day-to-day activities of the business office, including: maintenance of the records of patients, scheduling of patients, accounts receivable, maintaining appearance and order of dental office, presentation of financial treatment plan options, and recall/recare system. SPECIFIC DUTIES o Reception Management o Manage day-to-day operations of dental office o Open and close dental office according to office protocol o Review the office for a neat, professional appearance and make necessary changes o Check the daily schedule for accuracy and post it in all treatment rooms o Answer and respond to telephone calls with professionalism o Review supplies for reception and provide order to Doctor. o Maintain petty cash o Patient Management o Maintain a professional reception area; organize patient education materials, etc. o Greet and welcome patients and visitors to the practice P a g e | 11 o Check in patients according to office protocol, verifying and updating patient information o Manage recall and inactive patient system o Oversee patient relations & handle patient complaints, under the doctor’s indirect supervision o Help explain office policy to patients o Confirm the next day’s appointments according to protocol and patient preferences o Schedule patients for efficient use of doctor and staff time o Check patient quick-fill list to try to fill in cancellation and no- show appointment times o Collect payment from patients at the time of treatment o Make follow-up appointments as needed o Prepare financial treatment plans and present plan options to patient at end of their appointment o Assist in the treatment room as needed o Records Management o Gather and accurately record insurance information from patients o See that records are stored securely. o Accurately file patient information o Arrange patient charts and radiographs for the next day’s appointments o Track cases and referrals to and from other doctors o Insurance o Update insurance information on all patients at all times o Submit treatment plans for predetermination of benefits o Prepare claim forms for patients with dental insurance o Organize supporting materials for claim forms, such as radiographs or written narratives, as directed by the doctor. o Mail or electronically submit claim forms from office o Assist in the resolution of problems with third-party payers o Inventory Management P a g e | 12 o Monitor inventory and order dental office supplies as needed o Monitor and make sure all dental office