| The Risk of Communicable Disease for a Dental Assistant |
The Risk of Communicable Disease for a Dental Assistant
Dental Assistants need to make sure they fully understand the risk of communicable diseases. A communicable disease is one that is transmitted by saliva, blood, and other bodily fluids. Dental Assistants are at a very high risk because their hands come into contact with patient's mouths all day long. This exposes them to saliva and often blood. While patients are asked to disclose information about communicable diseases including HIV, many choose not to. Some communicable diseases such as herpes form sores in the mouth and Dental Assistants need to be able to identify them. A Dental Assistant should assume every patient is contagious and take all precautions against infection.
Dental Assistants should always were gloves while working with patients. Even if they are only observing the procedure. This is because you never know what a normal procedure will turn into a crisis. The Dental Assistant will have to be able to jump in and assist at a moments notice. There is no time to stop to put on gloves, and it is not accepted in the dental field to perform any type of procedure without them.
If you feel that you have poked a hole in a glove, immediately throw it away and replace it. Do not take any chances. Communicable diseases can make you ill as the least or result in death at the other extreme. Since open sores are the most common way for communicable diseases to enter your body, make sure any such sore is completely covered with a bandage, band aid, or other covering that won't come off with your gloves. Keep the sores covered until they have healed completely.
Another valuable way to prevent communicable diseases is to follow all safety procedures as outlined by the employer. If you are unclear, ask. Never take shortcuts, especially in the areas of sterilizing tools and the proper use of tools. This can lead to serious repercussions if other patients become infected with communicable diseases from dirty tools.
If you find that you have come into direct contact with saliva, blood, or other bodily fluids that could potentially lead to a communicable disease, wash the area immediately with soap and water. Many communicable diseases including the flu and the common cold can't survive soap and water. You will also need to report the incident to your direct supervisor.
All dental facilities have policies and procedures in place for dealing with contact of saliva, blood, or other bodily fluids. It is important that you completely understand these policies and procedures from the first day of employment. Make sure you follow them completely if you do experience such contact. Most dental facilities will have the procedures written and in an easily accessible location for quick reference.
Working as a Dental Assistant is a fun and rewarding career choice. You will have the opportunity to work with many people and to learn more about the dental field. You will be required to perform a variety of duties as well as sit in on several types of dental procedures. It is important to remember that your safety is very important. Make sure you are aware of the risk of communicable diseases and follow all procedures for prevention as well as reporting if such contact does take place during your employment as a Dental Assistant.
Word Count 561
|
Areas of Employment for Dental Assistants A career as a Dental Assistant will open many doors of opportunity. Dental Assistants ...
read more
Avoid Burnout as a Dental Assistant Having a career as a Dental Assistant can be very rewarding. It can also ...
read more
Become a Dental Assistant to Explore the World of Dentistry A career as a Dental Assistant will offer you insight ...
read more
Certified Dental Assistant Requirements Completing a Dental Assistant program can be the opportunity to explore a wonderful career in the ...
read more
Complaints Against Dental Assistants Most Dental Assistants work hard to ensure the best quality treatment available to all patients. However, ...
read more
Dental Assistant Career Colleges Now what you have decided to start looking into a career as a dental assistant you ...
read more
Dental Assistant Emergency Care The role of Dental Assistant involves being able to perform a variety of duties. It also ...
read more
Dental Assistant Licensing Requirements Licensing Requirements for Dental Assistants vary by state. In some states you don't even have to ...
read more
Dental Assistant Pay Becoming a Dental Assistant not only prepares you for a wonderful career working in the dental field, ...
read more
Dental Assistant Program Acceptance Dental Assistant is one of the fastest growing professions. It is anticipated to be one of ...
read more
Dental Assistant Relationships with other Staff Having a career as a dental assistant is a great opportunity to work with ...
read more
Dental Assistant Training Pursing a career as a Dental Assistant can be very exciting. With so many employment opportunities to ...
read more
Dental Assistants in Orthodontics Dental Assistants are becoming more and more popular in the area of orthodontics. This is due ...
read more
Dental Assistants in Prisons Dental Assistants in prisons are in great demand. Most states are trying to establish dental programs ...
read more
Dental Assistants Provide Care to Low Income Families Dental Assistants take pride in providing quality care to patients. They assist ...
read more
Dental Assistants working with Drug Users Dental Assistants are used to working with patients who are suffering from poor dental ...
read more
Dental Assistants The role of a Dental Assistant is to help Dentists and Dental Hygienists carry out the duties of ...
read more
Duties of Dental Assistants Dental Assistants are very versatile. They are well trained in a variety of areas to properly ...
read more
Patient Rights in Regard to Dental Care Dental Assistants work hard to help Dentists and Dental Hygienists provide quality care ...
read more
Risks of Being a Dental Assistant Having a career as a dental assistant is a great career opportunity. You will ...
read more
Support for Dental Assistants Dental Assistants can find themselves easily overwhelmed with the level of responsibility they have and the ...
read more
The Demand for Dental Assistants Dental Assistants are essential to the field of dentistry. They work hard to make sure ...
read more
The Risk of Communicable Disease for a Dental Assistant Dental Assistants need to make sure they fully understand the risk ...
read more
Use your Dental Assistant Skills to Become a Dentist or Hygienist You can complete your Dental Assistant training in about ...
read more
Why You Should Become a Dental Assistant Becoming a Dental Assistant offers you a great career working with people. You ...
read more
|
|
|
Disclaimer:
The Publisher has strived to be as accurate and complete as possible in
the creation of this website, notwithstanding the fact that he does not
warrant or represent at any time that the contents within are accurate
due to the rapidly changing nature of the Internet.
This site
is a common sense guide to The Risk of Communicable Disease for a Dental Assistant. In practical advice websites,
like anything else in life, there are no guarantees of income made.
Readers are cautioned to reply on their own judgment about their
individual circumstances to act accordingly.
This site
is not intended for use as a source of legal, business, accounting or
financial advice. All readers are advised to seek services of competent
professionals in legal, business, accounting, and finance field.
Any
perceived slights of specific people or organizations are unintentional.
|