Dental Assistant Training: Opening Wipe and Barriers

Summary

This transcript details the essential procedures for preparing a dental unit for patient care. It emphasizes proper equipment placement, effective hand hygiene, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of the treatment area. Key steps include checking the water level, using disinfectant wipes correctly, and setting up barriers to prevent contamination. The preparation ensures a safe and efficient environment for dental procedures, highlighting the importance of following guidelines meticulously to maintain hygiene standards and optimize patient care.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ensure the dental unit is in the correct storage position with the patient chair upright.
• 🧼 Perform an initial 15-second hand wash, removing rings and watches beforehand.
• 🚰 Check the water level in the plastic bottle and refill if below two inches.
• 💧 Add a water treatment tablet to the empty bottle, fill with tap water, and wait for it to dissolve.
• 🔌 Turn on the dental unit master switch to power up the equipment.
• 🧴 Use alcohol hand rub after the initial hand wash for further hygiene.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and gloves during the disinfecting procedure.
• 🧼 Use disinfectant wipes to clean all necessary surfaces, avoiding certain areas like the view box.
• 🚫 Never wipe touch pads with disinfectant; use barriers instead.
• 📦 Gather necessary barriers for the treatment area using clean hands only.

Q & A

What is the first step in preparing the dental unit for use?

The first step is to place the patient chair in the upright position and ensure the rheostat is placed on top of a clean paper towel.

How should the rheostat be positioned when starting the opening procedures?

Remove the rheostat from the chair seat and place it on the floor on the operator side of the patient chair.

What should you do if the water level in the plastic bottle is less than two inches?

You need to remove the bottle, empty any remaining water into the sink, and then follow the procedure to refill it.

What is the purpose of the water treatment tablet?

The water treatment tablet is used to disinfect the water in the dental unit; it should be dropped into the empty bottle before filling it with tap water.

What should be done after the water treatment tablet is added to the bottle?

Fill the bottle with tap water, reconnect it to the unit, and wait 60 seconds for the tablet to dissolve.

Where is the master switch for the dental unit located?

The master switch is located on the right side of the utility cart.

What should be done to clean and disinfect the patient treatment area?

After performing an initial hand wash, don safety glasses and gloves, and use disinfectant wipes to clean various surfaces, including the dental assistant cart and instrument arm.

What items should not be wiped with disinfectant?

The touch pad of the dental equipment, the plastic light cover, and the patient operator and dental assistant chairs should not be wiped with disinfectant.

How should barriers be handled during the setup process?

Barriers should be gathered with clean hands only; gloves should never be worn while reaching into cupboards or drawers.

What types of barriers are needed for the dental treatment area?

The barriers needed include large plastic bags for the patient chair and utility cart, light handle covers, barrier tape sheets, and plastic sleeves for various instruments.