🦷 Curious about the role of dental nurses? 🌟

Dive into their dynamic scope of practice for Nurses Week.

From chairside assistance to radiography, infection control, and patient support, dental nurses wear many hats to ensure excellent dental care.

Let’s celebrate the invaluable contributions of dental nurses! 💙

Chairside Assistance

Dental nurses assist dentists during patient examinations and treatments, ensuring instruments and materials are prepared and passing them to the dentist as needed. They also provide support and reassurance to patients throughout procedures.

Radiography

Dental nurses may take dental radiographs (X-rays) under the prescription of a dentist if they hold a suitable extra qualification.

Many of our awesome nurse hold either the BDA Certificate in Dental Radiography or the NEBDN Certificate in Dental Radiography.

Infection Control

Dental nurses play a crucial role in maintaining infection control and sterilization procedures within the dental practice. This includes cleaning and sterilizing instruments, disinfecting surfaces, and following strict protocols to prevent the spread of infections.

Our lead nurses oversee cross-infection control measures, conduct regular audits, and ensure compliance with CQC (Care Quality Commission) regulations to maintain a safe and hygienic environment for patients and staff.

Patient Care

Dental nurses provide patient care before, during, and after dental procedures. This may involve taking medical histories, explaining treatment procedures to patients, providing post-operative instructions, and offering support and comfort to anxious or nervous patients.

Intraoral Scanning and Crown Milling

They can be trained to use intraoral scanners to capture digital impressions of patients’ teeth and gums, aiding in the fabrication of dental restorations such as crowns and bridges. They may also operate milling machines to fabricate crowns chairside, under the supervision of a dentist.

Suture Removal

Dental nurses can be trained to safely remove sutures following oral surgery procedures, ensuring patient comfort and wound healing.

Clinical Photography

Dental nurses may take clinical photographs of patients’ oral conditions, before and after treatment, to document cases and aid in treatment planning. These photographs are valuable for patient records, communication with colleagues, and professional development.

Medical Emergency Training

They undergo training in medical emergencies, including the use of a defibrillator (AED). They are prepared to respond effectively to situations such as cardiac arrest, administering CPR and utilizing a defibrillator to deliver life-saving shocks when necessary.

Record-Keeping

Dental nurses maintain accurate patient records, including treatment notes, medical histories, and radiographs, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations.

Education and Promotion

They may provide oral health education and promotion to patients, encouraging good oral hygiene practices and explaining the importance of regular dental check-ups and preventative care.

Administrative Duties

They may also perform various administrative tasks within the dental practice, such as scheduling appointments, managing patient records, helping with referrals.

Overall, dental nurses play a multifaceted role in supporting dental practitioners and ensuring high-quality patient care within the dental practice.

Meet are wonderful team of dental nurses here.