Dentists diagnose and treat oral diseases.
They are also aware of systemic diseases that can affect the mouth and conversely any mouth conditions that may affect their general health.
Within their scope of practice, there are various domains and specialities. These are oral surgery, periodontal disease, prosthodontics: both fixed and removable, orthodontic treatment, endodontics, periodontics and radiography.
Dentists are also allowed to prescribe medications in relation to the patient’s oral health.
Dental nurses
Dental nurses prepare and maintain the clinical areas. This includes cross infection prevention and decontamination procedures.
During chair-side assistance, they can mix dental materials and also record dental charting assessments. This will include writing patient records and liaising or giving instructions to the dental laboratory.
Dental nurses have an important role in monitoring, and supporting patients to reassure them. They can also provide appropriate patients to the patient as necessary.
Dental hygienists.
Dental hygienists are trained/ experts at preventing and treating periodontal disease.
They can undertake the chart indices.
This will include giving oral hygiene instruction, dietary advice, smoking cessation advice, supragingival and sublingual scaling and root surface debridement.
Placing fissure sealants.
Taking of radiographs.
They are able to administer both infiltration and inferior alveolar nerve blocks.
They are able to place temporary fillings and re-cement crowns including taking impressions and placing rubber dams.
They are also able to diagnose and plan treatment without a dentist’s prescription.
Dental therapists.
Dental therapists can carry out all the duties of a dental hygienist and in addition they can place fillings in both permanent and deciduous teeth. Pulpotomies can be placed in deciduous teeth only. Extractions in deciduous teeth only.
Stainless steel crowns can be placed on deciduous teeth.
Dental technicians.
Dental technicians make dental prostheses from a dentist’s prescription. They can also repair dentures directly to patients.
Dental devices that they construct include removable appliances such as dentures, splints and orthodontic appliances.
Fixed appliances include crowns and bridges.