Dental Auxiliary

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A dental auxiliary is any of the dentist's supporting team who helps with dental treatment. They include dental assistants, dental therapists, dental hygienists and dental technicians. The role of dental auxiliaries is usually limited by regional dental regulations, to help define the boundaries of treatment that can be performed.

1 Dental Assistant
2 See also
3 Dental Therapist
4 Dental Hygienists
5 Dental Technicians
6 See also

[edit] Dental Assistant

Dental assistants help make dental treatment more efficient, by assisting the dental care provider by holding and passing instruments, by retracting tissues and suctioning to assist better vision of the operating field. They also mix materials and help maintain dental record keeping. Also instrument and equipment sterilisation is a major role.

[edit] See also

[edit] Dental Therapist

Depending on governing rules, therapists are restricted to certain duties such as treating children and oral hygiene instruction.

In the UK, a dental therapist is able to carry out clinical work on adults and children under the direction of a registered dentist which may include simple fillings and extractions of deciduous teeth; additionally a dental therapist is trained to carry out the skills of a dental hygienist. They also undertake a preventive role in teaching and motivating individual patients and groups in the community to maintain effective oral hygiene and to care for their teeth.

In the UK, courses can lead to either the Diploma in Dental Therapy, which is often combined with a Diploma in Dental Hygiene, or a Degree in Oral Health Sciences which includes modules relating to dental therapy and hygiene. The length of training ranges from 27 month’s to 3 years full time, depending on location of study and whether the University offers a Diploma or BSc programme. Entry qualifications vary depending on the University but for BSc courses Advanced levels are required. Many Diploma programmes would accept similar entry requirements as stated for a Dental Hygienist.

For more information: www.badt.org.uk

[edit] Dental Hygienists

A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive care. Most hygienists are licensed to administer local anesthesia, depending on the applicable regulations in their area. Cleanings, radiographs, sealants, scalings, and root planings are among some of the procedures frequently performed by a hygienist. In most states, hygienists work for a dentist, however in some locations, hygienists are allowed to practice without a dentist's supervision.

In the UK, a dental hygienist has clinical work prescribed to them by a registered dentist; a dental hygienist primarily provides clinical treatment for the prevention and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease using local anaesthesia. Their preventive role involves giving advice on diet, oral hygiene and smoking cessation. They can additionally take and develop radiographs (xrays) and undertake dental impressions

There are approximately 20 training providers in the UK who ofer dental hygienist and dental therapist training; however ,there are fewer schools that train dental hygiene only as many schools now undertake the combined dental hygiene/therapy course. Generally the entry requirements are 5 GCSE subjects graded A – C including English language and biology or human biology, and a recognised dental nursing qualification, or 2 A level passes and 5 GCSE passes at A-C for those individuals who do not have a dental nursing qualification.

Forfurther information:www.bdha.org.uk