As a dental assistant, you have a unique place among healthcare professionals.
Although you may not have a degree in dentistry, you must have thorough knowledge of
the mouth, and the treatments and surgical procedures used in dentistry. You are not
a psychologist, but you must have compassion for people and an ability to listen
sympathetically to their complaints. You may not be a nurse, but you must be ready to
handle a clinical emergency at any time. Those are just a few of the qualities you must
have to be an effective assistant in a dental office.
You also play a major role in helping your doctor reduce the risk of a malpractice claim.
Here are some guidelines to help keep you both out of the courtroom:
- Be careful what you say to a patient. Sometimes, well-intentioned remarks can be
interpreted as medical advice.
Don't volunteer professional opinions or comment on treatment.
Never discuss patients with other staff members.
- Stay within the limits of delegation. A qualified assistant should perform
delegated duties under the doctor's supervision.
- Follow the doctor's orders to contact patients. Establish a system for
making sure that patients have been contacted about follow-up treatment.
- Put it on the record. When a patient fails to come in for an appointment
or cancels a scheduled test or follow-up visit, note it in the patient's chart.
- Tell the doctor when a patient complains. Some patients are reluctant to
complain directly to their dentist, but instead, vent their feelings to the office staff.
- Retain original records. You can make copies, but keep all originals.
Never turn over originals to a patient or a patient's representative, such as
an attorney or family member.
- Stay current. You have a duty to remain up-to-date on all information that
affects the practice of dentistry. Talk to the dentist about the latest hot
topics in dentistry and request permission to attend educational refresher or
certification courses.
- Stay alert to any safety hazards. Take time to correct any safety hazards
you observe, such as telephone lines or cables that patients may trip over,
sharp instruments that may cause injury to patients or staff, poor lighting,
and blocked exits.
Your job is vital to the success of the dentist's practice. Your training, your professionalism,
your initiative and your common sense create a caring environment in the office and, as a result,
benefit your patients as well as the dentist for whom you work.
Back to list of Articles
