Place a Dental Rubber Dam to isolate the operative field

The standard is about placing a Dental Rubber Dam to isolate the operative field

This standard is applicable to Dental Nurses, Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists, and Dentists. 

Dental procedures may be carried out in general dental practices, public dental services, hospital settings, community dental services, domiciliary or other non-standard environments. 

Dental Nurses, Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists, and Dentists need to be appropriately trained, competent and indemnified to carry out this function.

Users of this standard will need to ensure their practice reflects up to date information, policies and legislation.

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1. Apply standard infection control precautions taking other health and safety measures throughout in accordance with workplace procedures.
2. Communicate with individuals in ways that meet their needs and demonstrate equality, respect and dignity
3. Provide advice, information and support to individuals in ways that are consistent with other members of the oral health care team and within your scope of practice
4. Select and prepare correct equipment, instruments and materials required to ensure full isolation of the operative field
5. Obtain valid, informed consent from individuals in accordance with professional standards and workplace procedures.
6. Confirm an individual’s medical history checking for any known allergies.
7. Confirm site of application of the rubber dam relevant to the clinical procedure being carried out.
8. Apply rubber dam effectively to ensure full isolation of the operative field confirming the individual’s comfort and airway safety, ensuring minimising of trauma to soft tissues.
9. Monitor individuals during procedure to identify any complications, adjusting the dam or clamp and taking necessary actions in accordance with workplace procedures and within your own scope of practice
10. Remove the rubber dam safely to prevent trauma to the soft tissues.
11. Dispose of waste in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance, and workplace procedures.
12. Complete and store all documentation in accordance with relevant legislation, guidelines, and workplace procedures.

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1. Scope and limitations of your competence, responsibilities and accountability within your job role, when it is appropriate to work under the observation of a dentist.
2. Standard infection control precautions and safe working practices and how to apply these.
3. The purpose, benefits and limitations of a rubber dam.
4. The functions of equipment, instruments and materials used in the placement of rubber dam isolation
5. How to confirm an individual’s medical history checking for any known allergies in accordance with workplace procedures.
6. Principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
7. Different methods of communicating and how to apply these
8. The importance of taking account of individual preferences, needs and values during communication
9. Barriers to effective communication and how to overcome these
10. The basic structures of the oral cavity relevant to dam placement to ensure full isolation of the operative field, the individual’s comfort and airway safety
11. Techniques for punching and placing the dam and clamp in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
12. Contra indications and complications that may occur, including how to manage an individual’ s anxiety, foreign body obstruction, allergies, anatomical challenges and equipment failure.
13. The importance of appropriate posture when delivering clinical care to an individual
14. Different methods of waste disposal and how to apply these
15. Importance of maintaining accurate, up to date documentation and storage of an individual’s records safely and securely.

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1

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2031

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Current

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Original

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Skills for Health

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SFHOH37

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Health Professionals, Nursing and Subjects and Vocations Allied to Medicine, Dental Nurse

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3218

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Dental Rubber Dam; Operative Field ;

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