Provide chairside support during the assessment of individuals' oral health

​

This standard is intended for those who act in a chairside support role during the assessment of individuals' oral and general health. You will need to prepare the equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments which will be needed for assessment. Subsequently, you will need to provide close support during the assessment of the individual through recording and charting the information which is obtained from an examination of the head, neck, teeth, periodontium and soft tissue, and in interpreting or anticipating the need for further equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments.

Effective communication with individuals and other members of the oral health care team, and promoting their health, safety and wellbeing are essential components of this standard.

This standard is applicable to oral health workers who provide chairside support during an assessment of individuals' oral and general health.

Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.

1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
3. deal promptly and effectively with any problems within your control and report those which cannot be solved
4. identify and minimise hazards and risk in the workplace
5. confirm identity of the individual in accordance with organisational procedures
6. gain valid, informed consent from the individual in accordance with specific procedures
7. communicate with the individual and key people at a pace, in a manner and at a level appropriate to the individual's understanding, preferences and needs
8. respect the individual's rights and wishes relating to their privacy, beliefs, and dignity
9. provide support to the individual and ensure health and safety measures are implemented at all times
10. make available at the chairside the dental charts, records and images which are necessary for the assessment of oral health to be undertaken
11. anticipate, select and prepare the equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments which are required for a full clinical assessment of the head, neck and mouth
12. apply standard precautions for infection prevention and control and take other appropriate health and safety measures
13. identify when an individual is in discomfort, fear or distress and communicate with them in a way which reassures and calms them
14. select, offer and prepare the correct equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments at the time when they are required during the clinical assessment
15. handle equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments in a manner that minimises the possibility of injury, damage and cross-infection
16. continuously monitor the individual as the assessment takes place, identify any complications and take the necessary actions without delay
17. record assessments spoken by other team members accurately and legibly using the correct notation on the correct dental charts
18. make arrangements for further assessment or treatment
19. dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
20. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
6. the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
7. how to adapt communication styles in ways which are appropriate to the needs of the individual
8. the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others
9. how to obtain positive confirmation of an individual's identity in accordance with organisational procedures
10. the principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
11. the purpose of dental assessment and methods of explaining this clearly to individuals
12. the medical conditions which may affect oral health assessment and treatment
13. the information required for a medical history, and the implications that relevant medical conditions have on dental treatment
14. the structure and function of teeth and periodontium including the number of roots
15. regional anatomy of the head and neck and dental anatomy
16. the function and position of salivary glands, muscles of mastication and facial expression and the examples of diseases which may affect facial movements
17. common oral diseases including both malignant and potentially malignant lesions and methods for their diagnosis, prevention and management
18. the diagnosis and management of diseases of the facial bones, oral mucosa, of other soft tissues, of the salivary glands and joints
19. oral manifestations of systemic diseases and the diagnosis and management of facial pain of dental and non-dental origin
20. the effects of ageing upon the oral tissues and the particular needs of the elderly
21. standard precautions and quality standards of infection prevention and control and your role in maintaining them
22. safe methods of handling instruments and equipment
23. the uses of the different materials used within dental assessment, including impression materials for study models
24. methods of measuring pulp vitality and their relative merits
25. the main classes of drugs which are used in dentistry and the reasons for their use, including analgesics, antibiotics, sedatives/hypnotics, emergency drugs, drugs which reverse the action of other drugs
26. the different types of dental record and charts, including personal details, images and study models for assessment and treatment planning which are used, and the functions of each
27. methods of dental charting
28. the terminology and charting notation/charting symbols for tooth surfaces, cavities and particular tooth problems related to the type of dental chart being used
29. the reasons for taking images, both for treatment and for the monitoring of individuals
30. the types and purposes of orthodontic treatment available
31. the measurement, records and classifications associated with malocclusion records
32. methods of communicating clearly with the individual especially when they might be in some discomfort or distress
33. methods of monitoring the physical characteristics of an individual and the signs and symptoms to be aware of to recognise a potential emergency
34. how to recognise the signs of injury, abuse or neglect and how to raise concerns with the appropriate person or agency
35. how to identify that a medical emergency has arisen and provide support both for the individual with the emergency and to those providing immediate management of the emergency
36. why it is important that information relating to individuals is treated as confidential, and what this means for the storage, recording and disclosure of individual information
37. methods of effective team working in oral health care
38. the needs of individuals including issues relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy
39. how to dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
40. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements