Tools of the Trade
This hand instrument allows the dental professional to view areas inside the patient's mouth that are difficult to see.
Mouth Mirror
This part of the handpiece connects it to the dental unit's air, water, or electric power source.
Connection end
This disposable dental item is used to apply materials and solutions during patient treatment.
Cotton tip applicator
This area of the dental office welcomes patients and creates the first impression of the practice.
This patient seating position occurs when the patient's nose and toes are aligned on the same plane.
Supine Position
This hand instrument is used to remove carious tooth structure and debris from the cavity preparation.
Excavator
This foot-controlled device regulates the speed of the dental handpiece.
The Rheostat
These disposable items are commonly placed in the mouth to move soft tissue away from the working area and help maintain visibility.
Cotton Rolls
This type of dental delivery unit positions the equipment behind the patient's head for easy access during treatment.
Rear Delivery System
When preparing the treatment room before a patient arrives, this position should be used for the dental chair to allow safe and easy patient seating.
Upright Position
This hand instrument is used to smooth, shape, and plane the enamel and dentin walls during cavity preparation.
Chisel
This rotary instrument is a rod-shaped bur used in low-speed handpieces with abrasive surfaces for removing carious material.
Mandrels
This tray organization system helps the dental assistant save time by having the needed instruments and materials prepared before a procedure.
Present Tray System
This area of the dental office is where patient charts and records are commonly stored and maintained.
Business Office
When treating the mandibular arch, the dental light should be positioned in this location to properly illuminate the working areas.
Raised and the beam directed downward
This hand instrument uses a pulling motion to smooth and shape the floor of a cavity preparation.
Hoe
This bur is commonly used to open and extend a cavity preparation by cutting through enamel and dentin.
Pear
This diagnostic instrument is not included in the basic tray setup because it is specifically used for assessing periodontal health.
Periodontal Probe
This dental unit component should not be emptied and refilled at the end of every day; instead, it should be emptied and refilled at the start of every day.
Before dismissing the patient from the treatment chair, this safety check helps the dental assistant confirm the patient is stable and ready to leave.
Checking the patient's eyes and breathing
This is the recommended amount of time a dental handpiece should be flushed after each patient to remove debris and contaminants.
20-30 seconds
This color-coded band on a finishing bur indicates that the bur has 16 blades and is designed for smoothing and finishing tooth surfaces.
Red Band
These disposable suction tips should be handled by avoiding contamination, using proper infection control procedures, and replacing them between patients.
Oral Evacuator Tips
This infection control step should be completed first when preparing the treatment room for the next patient to prevent contamination of equipment.
Placing Barriers
This is the time when the dental assistant should put on a mask, protective eyewear, and gloves to prepare for patient care and prevent exposures.
Before the assistant is seated chairside