Douglas County Dental Clinic

When you walk into a dentist’s office, there may be a few people who you do not recognize beyond the patient waiting area. Many dental offices are full of employees who each carry out a crucial part of the dental experience. Just because you are going to the dentist’s office, this doesn’t mean that you will only find dentists. You may find various team members of the dental office who are not specifically related to the dental process. To be more aware of your surroundings, here is a run down of the different dental team members in the office and how they contribute to the dental experience.

The first person you will probably come in contact with, whether you call ahead for an appointment or walk in, is the dental receptionist. This person is in charge of arranging the dentist’s schedule and greeting patients as they walk in. The dental receptionist also takes care of the necessary paperwork which is needed in order to assess the patient’s prior medical and dental history and the patient’s insurance information. The dental receptionist is one of the most stressful and crucial roles in the dental office team.

The Insurance dental worker often deals with paperwork and meetings with patients. Some financial options are available for patients who may not be insured. Therefore, the insurance worker will work with patients in order to finance their dental needs. If there are any unresolved problems with a patient’s insurance the insurance worker will normally take care of all unfinished business and make final decisions regarding issues with one’s dental insurance.

The dental assistant will often be working side by side with the dentist as an apprentice in order to learn the trade. The dental assistant most often prepares the patients by welcoming them into the room, accompanying the patient while waiting for the dentist, answering questions, preparing materials for the dentist and assisting the dentist in whatever he or she needs during the dental patient’s appointment. The dental assistant is the wing person for the dentist.

The dental hygienist is not a dentist. A dental hygienist usually performs varying tasks which range from taking x- ray photos of the patient’s teeth, to polishing and cleaning a patient’s teeth. Other tasks that a dental hygienist performs includes preparing for cavity work, including creating the cavity space and filling the tooth. A dental hygienists task duties are normally dictated by the state he or she is working in.

The dentist takes care of just about everything else that a patient needs done. He or she will examine the patient’s teeth, make diagnosis and perform all other types of dental procedures. Such dental procedures include filling cavities, creating crowns, fitting crowns, extracting teeth and much more. Depending on whether a dentist is a general practitioner or a specialist, his or her duties may differ. For example, some dentists perform dental surgery including root canals, wisdom teeth extractions and teeth implants.

Get to know your dental office team upon your next visit.

About The Author: Dr. H. Chehayeb, family dentist in WashingtonDC, is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University. He regularly upgrades his clinical skills by attending continuing education courses covering all areas of cosmetic and general dentistry. Visit his site at berkshirefamilydental.com

An open, thriving and interesting career path is that of dental hygienist. With a degree from an accredited dental hygiene school and a license to practice in the state you are considering working in, you will be able to embark on a wonderful journey which will be prosperous and challenging. However, one important question to ask before dedicating yourself to this dental profession is what do dental hygienists do?

A dental hygienist is not a dentist. However, they are more like an apprentice to a dentist as they usually work side by side with a dentist. The main duties of a dental hygienist is to remove the hard or soft deposits of plaque that have formed on the patent’s teeth and look over the patient’s teeth to determine if there are any dental problems or possible diagnosis of a forming dental disease.

Another large part of being a dental hygienist is to help patient’s learn more about dental health and good oral hygiene. Many patients that walk into a dentist office do not know much about oral hygiene at all. However, there is a technique and a routine that is involved in good dental hygiene. Therefore, many dental hygienists take the time to explain to patients how to brush their teeth, the importance of flossing and how to floss, the purpose of mouthwash, how many times a day and when patients should brush their teeth, etc.

Since a dental hygienist performs a variety of diverse tasks, this means that they are skilled with multiple dental tools and instruments which are necessary to complete their job. When a dental hygienist performs a dental cleaning by removing plaque, he or she often uses a variety of ultrasonic devices and hand and rotary instruments in order to complete the task. These instruments are fundamental to removing hardened plaque, any stains and/or calculus that may have formed in order to give the teeth a clean and polished appearance.

In order to determine if there are any oral diseases forming, many dental hygienists use x ray machines in order to get a closer look at what is going on the patient’s mouth. They will also take these x rays for the dentists. While explaining about good oral health, a dental hygienist will also use model teeth, dental floss and toothbrushes to demonstrate to a patient how one should brush his or her teeth.

Depending on where you are thinking about practicing, some dental hygienists are able to administer different types of anesthetics before a patient submits to dental procedure such as filling a cavity. Once again, depending on the dental laws of the state, some dental hygienists are even allowed to prepare and fill cavities, periodontal dressings, perfecting restorations and more.

Dental hygienists have many important responsibilities within the walls of a dentist’s office. They are an invaluable part of a dental staff and do not just sit on the sidelines. Dental hygienists are active in their duties and are an indispensable member of any dental office staff.

About The Author: Dr. H. Chehayeb, family dentist in Washington DC, is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University. He regularly upgrades his clinical skills by attending continuing education courses covering all areas of cosmetic and general dentistry. Visit his site at http://berkshirefamilydental.com

Our friends at Oral Health Kansas have created a list of "Dental Appointment DOs" as a guide for what to do when you take your child to the dentist. We've changed the list a bit, but the ideas definitely remain the same!

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a term used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing. Halitosis is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.

In most cases (85–90%), bad breath originates in the mouth itself. The intensity of bad breath differs during the day, due to eating certain foods (such as garlic, onions, meat, fish, and cheese), obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Since the mouth is exposed to less oxygen and is inactive during the night, the odor is usually worse upon awakening ("morning breath"). Bad breath may be transient, often disappearing following eating, brushing one's teeth, flossing, or rinsing with specialized mouthwash.

Bad breath may also be persistent (chronic bad breath), which is a more serious condition, affecting some 25% of the population in varying degrees.
The most common location for mouth-related halitosis is the tongue. Tongue bacteria produce malodorous compounds and fatty acids, and account for 80 to 90 percent of all cases of mouth-related bad breath. Large quantities of naturally-occurring bacteria are often found on the posterior dorsum of the tongue, where they are relatively undisturbed by normal activity. This part of the tongue is relatively dry and poorly cleansed, and bacterial populations can thrive on remnants of food deposits, dead epithelial cells, and postnasal drip. The convoluted microbial structure of the tongue dorsum provides an ideal habitat for anaerobic bacteria, which flourish under a continually-forming tongue coating of food debris, dead cells, postnasal drip and overlying bacteria, living and dead. When left on the tongue, the anaerobic respiration of such bacteria can yield either the putrescent smell of indole, skatole, polyamines, or the "rotten egg" smell of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, Allyl methyl sulfide, and dimethyl sulfide.

The most widely-known reason to clean the tongue is for the control of bad breath. Methods used against bad breath, such as mints, mouth sprays, mouthwash or gum, may only temporarily mask the odors created by the bacteria on the tongue, but cannot cure bad breath because they do not remove the source of the bad breath. In order to prevent the production of the sulfur-containing compounds mentioned above, the bacteria on the tongue must be removed, as must the decaying food debris present on the rear areas of the tongue. Most people who clean their tongue use a tongue cleaner (tongue scraper), or a toothbrush.


Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis

When it comes to brushing your teeth, making sure to brush twice a day, for at least 2 minutes each time, and making sure your toothbrush has soft bristles are the most important things to keep in mind. 

But what about manual toothbrushes vs. electric toothbrushes? Is there a reason to spend $50-$150 on an electric toothbrush while a good manual toothbrush only costs between $2-$5?

According to our hygienist, Leticia Gonzalez, an electric toothbrush is a lot more effective at removing plaque than a manual toothbrush. This is primarily due to the electric toothbrush not relying on dexterity as much as the manual toothbrush. Patients with arthritis, children, and others that may have problems maneuvering a manual toothbrush are able to brush better because the electric toothbrush does a lot of the work with less effort.

If you can afford a good electric toothbrush such as an Oral B or Sonicare, that's the way to go. However, a manual toothbrush with soft bristles, if used properly, will go a long way towards helping prevent cavities and gum disease.

Remember to brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and visit your dentist every 6 months. While you're there, ask your dentist or hygienist about what they recommend when it comes to choosing the right toothbrush!

Your baby's teeth are important! Children need healthy teeth to help them chew, speak clearly, and hold space for adult teeth. Here are five key things for helping keep your baby's mouth healthy:

Your baby's teeth, gums and mouth begin developing before you even know you're pregnant. Healthy development depends on your diet: folic acid for forming the palate, iron for building the teeth, and calcium for enamel.

4-5 weeks - primary tooth buds
4-7 weeks - lips
8-12 weeks - roof of mouth
12 weeks - primary teeth start to harden
6 months - permanent tooth buds

Thank you to the Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation and United Methodist Health Ministries Fund for providing this information in their booklet entitled, "Teeth for Two!"

Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

Sealants are put on in dentists’ offices, clinics, and sometimes in schools. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth.

How are sealants put on?

Why get sealants?

The most important reason for getting sealants is to avoid tooth decay.

Fluoride in toothpaste and in drinking water protects the smooth surfaces of teeth but back teeth need extra protection. Sealants cover the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and keep out germs and food.

Having sealants put on teeth before they decay will also save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth.

Who should get sealants?

Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as the teeth come in — before decay attacks the teeth.

The first permanent molars — called “6 year molars” — come in between the ages of 5 and 7.

The second permanent molars — “12 year molars” — come in when a child is between 11 and 14 years old.

Other teeth with pits and grooves also might need to be sealed.

Teenagers and young adults who are prone to decay may also need sealants.

Should sealants be put on baby teeth?

Your dentist might think it is a good idea, especially if your child’s baby teeth have deep pits and grooves.

Baby teeth save space for permanent teeth. It is important to keep baby teeth healthy so they don’t fall out early.

How long do sealants last?

Sealants can last up to 10 years. But they need to be checked at regular dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. The dentist or dental hygienist can repair sealants by adding more sealant material.

Are sealants new?

No, sealants have been around since the 1960s. Studies by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and others led to the development of dental sealants and showed that they are safe and effective.

But many people still do not know about sealants. In fact, fewer than one-third of children in the United States have sealants on their teeth.

How can I get dental sealants for my children?

Talk to your dentist, state or local dental society, or health department. Sometimes sealants are put on at school. Check with your school about whether it has a sealant program. If you are in Douglas County, Kansas, please call the Douglas County Dental Clinic at 785-312-7770 for more information about sealants!


Information on sealants provided by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Dental X-rays are necessary in order to make a proper diagnosis of any oral health problems you may be having. The three types of X-rays we take here at the Douglas County Dental Clinic are bitewing X-rays, periapical (also called PA) X-rays, and panoramic X-rays.

Bitewing X-rays - Bitewing X-rays highlight the crowns of the teeth. On each radiograph, the upper and lower teeth in one portion of the mouth are shown, from the crown to about the level of the jaw. Bitewing X-rays are primarily used to diagnose decay between the teeth.

Periapical X-rays - Periapical (PA) X-rays highlight the entire tooth. On each radiograph, the teeth from either the upper or lower jaw in one portion of the mouth are shown. The difference from bitewings is that in a periapical X-ray, the whole tooth is shown, from the crown down past the end of the root to the part of the jaw where the tooth is anchored. Periapical X-rays are primarily used to diagnose infection.

Panoramic X-rays - Panoramic X-rays show the entire mouth area - all teeth on both upper and lower jaws - on a single X-ray. This type of X-ray requires a special panoramic X-ray machine. The tube head that emits the X-rays circles behind the patient's head, while the film simultaneously circles across the front. That way, the full, broad view of the jaws is captured on one film. Because the machine moves in a set path, the patient has to be positioned very carefully. And, because the beam and the film are both moving, any movement from the patient will blur the image on the screen. That's why such care is taken to keep the patient's head absolutely still in exactly the right position. The machines may have chin rests, forehead rests, and side head positioners, plus bite-blocks that patients will be asked to close their teeth around. All this may look and feel intimidating, but the process is very safe and often uses less radiation than intraoral radiographs. Panoramic X-rays are primarily used to diagnose boney lesions and evaluate wisdom teeth.