Provide chairside support during periodontal and restorative procedures

URN: SFHOH5
Business Sectors (Suites): Dental Nursing
Developed by: Skills for Health
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is about providing chairside support during periodontal and restorative procedures. This includes selecting and arranging equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments for procedures including periodontal treatment and restorative treatment.
This standard is applicable to oral health workers in all settings where individuals require treatment related to prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries.
Dental procedures may be carried out in general dental practices, public dental services, hospital settings, domiciliary or other non-standard environments.
Users of this standard will need to ensure their practice reflects up to date information and policies.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. Retrieve and make available individuals records to identify planned treatments in accordance with workplace procedures
  2. Apply Standard Infection Control Precautions and take appropriate health and safety measures in accordance with workplace procedures
  3. Select and arrange equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments in accordance with dental procedures, including:
    periodontal treatment
    restorative treatment (composite or glass ionomer)
  4. Provide support to clinical operators during administration of local analgesia in accordance with dental procedures
  5. Aspirate treatment areas, maintain clear fields of operation and suitably protect individuals’ soft tissues using instruments and materials appropriate to procedures
  6. Identify, select and provide clinical operators with:
    suitable matrix system to aid placement of restorations
    correct quantities of restorative materials
    materials and equipment required to finish restorations
  7. Monitor individuals during procedures to identify complications, taking necessary actions in accordance with workplace procedures and within your own scope of practice
  8. Dispose of waste in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, and workplace procedures

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

1.          The basic structure of the maxilla and mandible including nerve and blood supply to teeth and supporting structures
2.          Standard Infection Control Precautions and how to apply these
3.          The functions of equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments used in:
·       periodontal treatment
·       administrating local anaesthesia
·       restorative treatment
4.          Methods of facilitating clear views of treatment areas for clinical operators and impacts of doing this incorrectly
5.          Ergonomics of dental practice and how to apply these
6.          Different stages in cavity preparation and why this is important
7.          The purpose and different types of lining materials including when and where they are used
8.          Advantages and disadvantages of different types of restorations, including
·       temporary restorations
·       composite restorations
·       glass ionomer restorations
9.          The purpose of etchants and bonding agents
10.      The importance of finishing restorations and matrix systems
11.      Safe handling, storage and disposal of dental materials
12.      Safe use of curing lights and potential hazards
13.      How to monitor and support individuals, and manage anxiety
14.      Different methods of waste disposal and how to apply these


Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

4

Indicative Review Date

2030

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Skills for Health

Original URN

SFHOH5

Relevant Occupations

Nursing and Subjects and Vocations Allied to Medicine, Dental Nurse

SOC Code

3218

Keywords

Chairside; support; prevention; control; periodontal disease; caries; restoration; cavities