OH5 Provide chairside support during the prevention and control of periodontal disease and caries and the restoration of cavities

Overview

This standard describes the role of the oral health worker in providing chairside support during the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and caries, and the restoration of cavities. You will need to prepare and mix a wide range of materials/medicaments which, if not carried out correctly, can seriously affect the success of the treatment.  You will need to know the reason for using particular materials and medicaments, the alternatives that may be used and the mixing and handling instructions recommended by the manufacturers. This standard is applicable to workers in all settings where patients require treatment related to the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and the preparation and restoration of cavities. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 1

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. Primary and secondary dentition and the dates of eruption
2. The structure and functions of teeth and gingivae
3. The development of dental plaque and methods for controlling it
4. The main causes and treatment of periodontal disease and caries
5. The nature and progression of dental and oral disease
6. Methods of protecting and retracting the soft tissues
7. Methods of aspirating during treatment
8. The ways in which periodontal disease can be prevented and/or minimised including effective oral hygiene techniques
9. The different forms of fluoride (systemic and topical) and its optimum levels
10. The function of the different kinds of equipment, instruments and materials/medicaments used in:
1. periodontal therapy
2. the preparation and restorations of cavities
11. The equipment used in the administration of local and regional anaesthesia
12. The different stages in cavity preparation for both deciduous and permanent teeth
13. The different types and purposes of linings and their relationship to the type of restoration which is being used
14. The advantages and disadvantages of the different types of:
1. amalgam
2. temporary restorations
3. composite restorations
4. glass ionomer restoration
15. Safe handling and disposal of amalgam and mercury spillage
16. The purpose and different types of etchants, when and where they are used
17. The purpose and different types of bonding agents, when and where they are used
18. The importance of finishing restorations and the equipment, instruments and materials that may be used
19. The importance of matrix systems and the equipment and instruments that may be used
20. The potential hazards of curing lights
21. Standard precautions and quality standards of infection control and your role in maintaining them
22. The purpose, method of use and function of protective wear and the reason for their use during dental treatment
23. The hazards associated with amalgam including:
1. the reasons for, and importance of, preparing amalgam in ventilated areas
2. the appropriate precautions that should be taken to prevent mercury spillage
3. the correct action to take in the event of mercury spillage
24. Methods of communicating information clearly and effectively
25. Methods of modifying information and communication methods for different individuals including patients from different social and ethnic backgrounds, children (including those with special needs), and the elderly
26. The different types of records used in the organisation (including medical history, personal details, dental charts, radiographs/photographs and study models for assessment and treatment planning) and their purpose
27. Confidentiality in relation to patient records
28. Methods of effective team working in oral health care

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. retrieve and make available the correct patient’s charts, records and images and identify correctly the planned treatment
2. apply standard precautions for infection control and take other appropriate health and safety measures
3. anticipate, select and arrange the equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments in their most likely order of use and easy reach of the chairside for the prevention and control of periodontal disease
4. provide appropriate support during the administration of local or regional analgesia
5. anticipate, select and arrange the equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments in their most likely order of use and easy reach of the chairside for:
1. prevention and control of periodontal diseases
2. the prevention and control of dental caries
3. the provision of amalgam restorations
4. the provision of composite restorations
5. the provision of glass ionomer restorations
6. aspirate the treatment area, maintain a clear field of operation and suitably protect the patient's soft tissues using instruments and materials appropriate to the procedure
7. correctly anticipate, select and offer to the operator:
1. a suitable matrix system to aid the placement of a restoration
2. the correct quantity of the appropriately mixed restorative materials
3. any materials or equipment required for the finishing of the restoration
8. handle equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments in a manner that minimises the possibility of damage and cross-infection
9. continuously monitor the patient, identify any complications and take the necessary actions without delay
10. ensure that all records and other appropriate documents are complete, accurate and legible following the procedure

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB7 Interventions and treatments