Inside Dental Assisting

Vol.VI No.2 - February 2010
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October 2009 courses

The Patient with Asthma: Implications for Dental Practice

Expires: 10/31/2011
Credit Hours: 2
Cost: $18
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All IDA Courses

Course		Expiration	Issue	Credit	Cost
Oral Cancer and Precancer: Improving Outcomes The best way to help improve survival rates of oral cancers is early detection and treatment. Almost 80% of patients with these cancers would have a 5-year survival rate if their disease had been found early. Many factors, such as long-term exposure to certain carcinogens, may heighten the risk. It is paramount that a dental clinician be cognizant of the sometimes subtle and overlooked signs and performs appropriate follow-up care. This article discusses common presentations, clinical aids, treatment, and management, as well as provides a detailed clinical evaluation form. Testing techniques such as chemiluminescent examinations and use of the VELscope can help. Ultimately, the dental practitioner bears responsibility for improving survival rates.	View course Take quiz View questions	3/31/2012	March 2010	2	18
Environmental Surface Asepsis: Principles, Applications, and Issues Chemical disinfectants are critical for proper infection control, and a number of new formulations and technologies are available for the dental practice. This article discusses the factors clinicians need to consider when choosing which type of disinfectant to use in a practice: the basic principles of environmental asepsis, classification and regulation of commercially-available products, and product use and misuse.	View course Take quiz View questions	2/29/2012	February 2010	2	18
Managing Caries in the High-Risk Child Dentists often report that treating children in their practices is either the most rewarding or the most challenging of all their professional experiences. Special considerations must be made for the biology of the caries process, the psychological development of the child, parental involvement, the complex environmental factors that contribute to caries, and the wide variety of clinical treatment options available. Caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA) is becoming the standard of care for dental professionals. Although significant progress has been made against caries in the past 30 years, very resistant pockets of disease remain in certain demographics. This article presents a number of different clinical scenarios, which will explore diagnostic and restorative protocols that apply to children who are at risk for caries.	View course Take quiz View questions	1/31/2012	January 2010	2	18
Using Evidence-Based Tobacco Cessation Therapies in Dental Hygiene Practice As part of their responsibility for the oral health and wellness of their patients, dental assistants have a wonderful opportunity to educate them regarding the health impact of tobacco use. As experts in the area of patient education and motivation for behavioral changes, assistants can provide crucial information to patients regarding the resulting health effects of using tobacco and other harmful substances, such as alcohol. Because tobacco use is a significant risk factor for both oral cancers and periodontal diseases, it is logical that assistants offer tobacco cessation education and help for all users. These facts can often provide the impetus for motivating, or at least encouraging, the patient to think about cessation. This article will familiarize the dental assistant with evidence-based tobacco cessation strategies that include behavioral interventions and US Food and Drug Administration approved pharmacotherapies.	View course Take quiz View questions	1/1/2012	January/2009	2	18
Dental Professional Response to Oral Conditions and Domestic Violence, Abuse, and Neglect Domestic violence is any type of physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person within some type of familial relationship. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. A recent Cochrane Collaboration report reviewed studies of effectiveness of screening and intervention programs for victims of domestic violence who sustain orofacial injuries. The results of the review are summarized, including that there is insufficient evidence supporting effectiveness of these programs. However, lack of evidence does not mean lack of effectiveness. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently has published a summary of assessment instruments for use in healthcare settings, which may be useful for assessment purposes. A number of resources are listed, with assessing, charting, and referring highlighted	View course Take quiz View questions	12/31/2011	November/December/2008	2	18
The Reception Room Most patients view cleanliness in healthcare facilities as a sign of safer surroundings and disease prevention. Further, some patients bring a fear of healthcare-associated infections or hospital-acquired infections to dental offices. Therefore, not only does regular attention need to be paid to every surface in the reception room, but also contagious disease precautions need to be used routinely. This article discusses methods to ensure a clean dental office, as well as guidelines to protect staff and patients from airborne infections. Most patients view cleanliness in healthcare facilities as a sign of safer surroundings and disease prevention.	View course Take quiz View questions	12/31/2011	November/December/2008	2	18
Xerostomia: Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Management This article summarizes the common causes, clinical presentation, and complications of xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction in the geriatric population and discusses the various management options.	View course Take quiz View questions	12/31/2011	November/December 2009	2	18
The Patient with Asthma: Implications for Dental Practice A history of asthma is reported commonly by adult dental patients and may be more prevalent in children. An acute episode of asthma in the dental office may be precipitated by extrinsic factors such as inhaled allergens, as well as intrinsic factors such as fear or anxiety. An asthma episode should be considered a medical emergency and must be treated promptly by inhalation of a bronchodilating agent. A history of asthma in the dental patient should alert the dental practitioner to implement strategies that may prevent an acute attack and to be prepared to manage this potentially life-threatening medical emergency appropriately. The chronic use of bronchodilating inhalers and/or glucocorticoids for the management of asthma can increase the likelihood of oral candidiasis, particularly in patients who have additional risk factors such as smoking, denture use, or the use of xerostomic medications.	View course Take quiz View questions	10/31/2011	October 2009	2	18
Before You Walk in the Door The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention require dental offices to follow infection control and safety regulations. OSHA presents rules about providing training for those employees who may be exposed to human body fluids at work that will help office staff protect themselves from contact with potentially harmful microbes while providing safe care to patients. OSHA also specifically requires employers to offer the hepatitis B vaccination to employees, and additional immunizations should also be considered for broader protection. Finally, OSHA’s hazard communication standard details what all office employees should know about the hazards and identities of the chemicals used in the office. This article discusses the required infection control training, staff vaccinations and health programs, management of the exposure control program, safety device evaluations, and proper handling of hazardous chemicals.	View course Take quiz View questions	9/30/2011	September/2008	2	18
Periodontal Diseases and the Dental Assistant The dental assistant is in an ideal position to educate patients about the importance of periodontal health, increasing the treatment success and profitability of both the restorative and hygiene departments. This article will identify the oral structures affected by periodontal diseases, as well as the signs and symptoms of these diseases. Understanding the inflammatory process and its effect on the oral tissues equips dental assistants to help patients achieve optimum oral health.	View course Take quiz View questions	9/30/2011	September/2008	2	18

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