RDA Critical Questions with 100% Verified Complete Correct Answers Describe the various roles dental assistants assume in the dental office. - Correct Answer Business or administrative assistant, dental office manager and chairside or clinical assistant.Who is responsible for knowing what duties dental assistants are allowed to perform under California Law? - Correct Answer It is the responsibility of the employee to know what duties they are legally allowed to perform under California law.What is the rheostat and where is it located in the dental office? - Correct Answer The rheostat is a foot pedal that controls the dental handpieces attached to the dental unit. It is located on the floor near the back of the dental chair towards the operator's side.Name and describe the patient positions in dental chair - Correct Answer Upright: position the chair should be in when patient is entering or exiting the chair; 90-degree angle. Supine: patient is lying flat on their back and the chair is parallel to the floor; most common position for the completion of
dental work. Sub-supine: places the patient's head lower than their feet.
The assistants stool should be how many inches higher than the operator? - Correct Answer The assistants stool should be positioned four (4) to six (6) inches higher than the operator.Why should the assistants stool be higher than the operators? - Correct Answer It helps the assistant gain access and visualization into the patient's mouth.What information does the clock concept provide? - Correct Answer The clock concept designates working areas for each member of the dental team providing direct patient care.What is four handed dentistry? - Correct Answer Four handed dentistry is a team approach to delivering dental care. One dentist and one assistant perform dental care on a patient in ergonomically pleasing, seated positions around the dental chair. One dentist and one assistant = four hands.Why is light positioning important? - Correct Answer placement, adjustment and care of the overhead patient light are the responsibility of the chaireid Light positioning is important, so both the dentist and the assistant can see into the oral cavity T assistant. 1 / 3
What does "position of use" mean and when is it important? - Correct Answer The term "position of use" refers to the instrument being transferred with the working end pointing toward the arch (maxillary or mandibular) being worked on.Which hand is used for instrument exchange? - Correct Answer The left hand is used for instrument exchange.Do you know the difference between an allergy and sensitivity? - Correct Answer An allergy is a hypersensitivity to a material, substance, food or animal. It creates an immune response from the body's systems causing symptoms for the patient that can range from mild to severe. Some allergies may be severe resulting in anaphylactic shock and is life threatening. Sensitivity is a small or mild reaction to a material, substance, food or animal. There are generally no symptoms for the patient to deal with and no life- threatening responses occur.When a patient indicates an "allergy to Novocain", what does this really mean? - Correct Answer This means the patient has had a past reaction to an ingredient in the anesthetic called Epinephrine.Epinephrine is added to prolong the working effect of the anesthetic. Epinephrine works very similar to Adrenaline found in the human body. Therefore, the patient may feel an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweating. Novocain is a type of anesthetic that has not been used in dentistry for many years. The anesthetic used today is Lidocaine or Xylocaine, each containing Epinephrine.There are anesthetics without Epinephrine for patients who are sensitive or allergic to it.Do you know the common medical conditions that may require a patient to take pretreatment oral prophylaxis (premedication)? - Correct Answer have a heart condition or have Patients may be required by their medical doctor to take premedication prior to dental work tet had joint replacement surgeries. The dentist should consult with ue patient's doctor to ensure proper protocol is being followed for the patient's conditions.If a patient indicates they are so for the current appointment, required to take premedication prior to dental treatment and they did not do so for the current appointment, what is the next step the assistant should take? - Correct Answer Let the dentist know that the patient forgot to take to their premedication. Some dentists will keep antibiotics in the office for just such an occurrence and will administer the antibiotics on site. Some dentists may reappoint the patient if they do not have antibiotics on site.Where fear and anxiety about being at the dental office is present, what steps should an assistant take during the health history and dental review to help alleviate those fears? - Correct Answer Let the patient know that it is okay to ask as many stay with the patient until the dentist comes into the operatory. Tell the patient they are in control questions as they need to. Be approachable and of the procedure and can stop at any time for a break. Using a calm reassuring tone of voice when speaking is effective and use the patients name frequently. Explain the procedure and what they can expect 2 / 3
during treatment. During more stressful parts of the procedure, such as the injection of anesthetic, physically touch the patient's arm or hand. This will help calm them and provides distraction from their anxiety about the injection.What is a vasoconstrictor? - Correct Answer A vasoconstrictor is a medicament that shrinks the capillaries thereby decreasing the blood flow temporarily to an area.What common drug used in dentistry is used to act as a vasoconstrictor? - Correct Answer Epinephrine. Hemostatic agents frequently contain epinephrine.What common body fluid is arrested by complete hemostasis? - Correct Answer Blood What drug or drugs can a patient take to prevent a vasoconstrictor from working effectively? - Correct Answer Coumadin or any other type of blood thinners will make it more difficult for a vasoconstrictor to work properly.What are the various methods of charting? - Correct Answer Electronic charting via computer software or charting by hand with a paper chart and a red/blue pencil can complete charting. There are symbols used to denote various treatments needed or previously completed. The chart is an important part of the patient's treatment plan.Why is it important to create a treatment plan for each patient? - Correct Answer It is critical to know what teeth the patient has present, previous dental work that has been completed and what dental work the patient needs to have completed. A treatment plan creates a plan of action, or a map, indicating how the dental team will proceed with dental treatments for the patient.Why is it important to provide patients with post-operative instructions? - Correct Answer It is important to provide patients with post op care instructions, so they will understand how to care for their dental health and take care of themselves following a dental appointment. Some dental procedures can be invasive, and the patient may need to take extra care for a few days following the treatment. Post op instructions encourage patient comfort. These instructions should be presented in writing as well verbally.How are caries diagnosed? - Correct Answer Caries are diagnosed by means of intraoral examination using an explorer, during an intraoral examination where the teeth are visually inspected, via radiographs, by caries indicator dyes and by caries automated detector devices (caries detectors).
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