DENTAL HEALTH TEAM  ➢ Assessment of the oral tissues 

  condition 
What is a dentist?  ❖ Performs 
  ➢ Dental prophylaxis - removal of 
DENTIST  plaque from crowns and root 
❖ Legally responsible for the care of the  surfaces 
patient  ➢ Scaling and root-planing 
❖ Assess patients oral health needs in  procedures 
relation to their physical and emotional  ➢ Additional procedures - 
wellbeing  administration of local anesthetic 
❖ Uses   and nitrous oxide (if allowed by 
➢ up to date diagnostic skills  the state) 
➢ Current technique and skills in all  ❖ Exposes, processes and evaluates 
aspects of patient care  radiograph quality 
❖ Legally required supervision for dental   
auxiliaries  DENTAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN 
  ❖ Performs laboratory work only under the 
Dental Auxiliary - dentist’s supporting team who helps  licensed dentist’s prescription 
with dental treatment.  ❖ Constructs and 
  ➢ Repairs prosthetic devices - full 
DENTAL ASSISTANT  and partial dentures 
❖ Prepares and  ➢ Restorations - crowns, bridges, 
➢ seats clients  inlays, veneers 
➢ delivers dental materials   
➢ Maintains treatment rooms and   
instruments  DENTAL RECEPTIONIST 
❖ Assists dentist at chairside during patient  ❖ Greets patients and answers the phone 
treatment  ❖ Makes and confirms appointments 
❖ Provides  ❖ Manages patients records, payroll, 
➢ Post-op instructions/aftercare  insurance billing and financial 
➢ Assurance and support for the  arrangements 
patient  ❖ Ensures patient privacy measures are in 
❖ Oversees infection control program  place and followed 
❖ Performs   ❖ Oversees patient relations 
➢ Radiographic procedures   
➢ Basic laboratory procedures:  DENTAL SPECIALIST 
pouring impressions to create  1. General Dentist 
diagnostic casts  2. Orthodontist 
  3. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon 
DENTAL HYGIENIST  4. Periodontist 
❖ Assesses patients periodontal status  5. Prosthodontist 
➢ Depth measurement of the  6. Endodontist 
periodontal pockets  7. Certified Specialist in 
 7.1. Oral Pathology 
7.2. Oral Radiology 
7.3. Pediatric Dentistry 
 
EYE TO THE FUTURE: DENTAL SPA 
❖ Prevalent in cosmetic dental practices 
❖ Eases patients’ anxiety and avoids the 
sterie feel and smell of a traditional dental 
office 
❖ Offers soothing and peaceful atmosphere 
❖ Offers a wide variety of amenities 
➢ Warm paraffin hand baths 
➢ Massage blankets 
➢ Assorted teas 
➢ Aromatherapy neck pillows 
➢ Warm lemon scented towel 
➢ Cool refreshing bottle of water 
❖ Each room has its own cable television 
and a large selection of videos 
 
Patients don't care about how much you know until they 
know how much you care.