dental patient setting dentist position, patient position, and dental chair position

1. Lab 1
community dentistry
by : Dr. noorah murad

2. Community dentistry
PATIENT SETTING AND EXAMINATION
PATIENT AND OPERATOR POSITIONS
IN DENTISTRY

3. Operator_patient position,and dental
chair setting:
 Dentistry is a demanding and stressful environment.
Operator,patient,dental chair position (working
position ) is one of the most important things
dentist should take in consideration before starting
any dental procedure
Correct positioning help operator to have a good
visibility and accessibility to the oral cavity.

4. If this relation neglected,physical problems may
arise ,musculoskeletal disorder is one of
theme,such as back pain,shoulder,neck strain,disc
prolapse ,varicose…etc
If operator maintain proper working position and
posture during treatment, less strain and fatigue
for the dentist ,and more efficient procedure for
the patient.

5. Three important position to be checked
before starting any dental procedure:
Dental chair position
Patient position
Operator (dentist) position

6. Dental chair
 1790,was the year of
inventing the first specialized
dental chair
 It was a wooden chair with a
head rest attached
 Most dental procedure where
performed with the patient
seated upright ,and dentist
stand next to patient.

7. Dental Chair evolution over
the centuries

9. Dental chair
 Today's dental chair
,modern chairs ,are
Designed to provide most
support and comfort to
the patient.
 The patient head is
supported by a head rest
cushion which elevate the
chin and thus reducing
strain on neck.

10. Dental chair position
 Adjust chair to permit maximal operator access
to the working area.
 The adjustment control switches should be
conveniently located ,and to improve infection
control,chairs with foot switch for patient
positioning are recommended.
 The chair should be low,the back rest upright
and the arm rest adjusted to allow the patient
to get into the chair.

11. Dental chair position
 Patient seated ,arm rest
returned,headrest cushion
positioned .then chair adjust to
place the patient in a reclining
position.

12.  Operator light is situated
above the patient 's head,
direction vary ,and should
be easily adjusted with
handles on both sides of
the light.

13.  The operating stool must have
abroad base for stability and must
be padded and offer good back
support.
 It must be adjustable to a variety
of patients sizes and restorative
procedures.

14. Patient position
 The common patient positions in
dentistry are:
a) Upright position.
b) Reclined position 45'
c) Supine.
d) Emergency position.
Trendelenburg

15. Points should be considered in relation to
patient position:
 The choice of patient position varies with the
operator,type of procedure,area of mouth involved.
 In general, head should not be lower than feet.but only in
emergency conditions.
 After completing procedure chair should be placed in
upright position,so that patient can leave the chair easily
and preventing undue stress or loss of balance.

16. Operator position
Proper operating positions and good posture reduce
fatigue and physical strain and possibility of
developing musculoskeletal disorders.
Most dental procedure can be accomplished while
seated,back and chest are held in upright position
with the shoulders squared which promotes proper
breathing and circulation .

17. Operating position
Considerations
 Proper balance and weight distribution on both feet
is essential when operating in a standing position.
 Operating positions may be described by the
location of the operator or by the location of the
operators arm in relation to patient position.

18. For a right handed operator there are
essentially 4 positions ,they are:
 Right front ……7 o'clock
 Right ……9 o'clock
 Right rear ..….11o'clock
 Direct rear ……12 o'clock
 For left handed operator ,left
front,left,left rear ,and direct rear
positions ,these are referred as 5,3,1,and
12 o'clock respectively.

20. Right front (7o'clock )position
1. It helps in examination of the patient
2. Working areas include
 Mandibular anterior
 Mandibular posterior teeth (right side)
 Maxillary anterior teeth

21. Right (9o'clock) position
 Working areas include:
1. Facial surfaces of maxillary right posterior teeth
2. Facial surfaces of mandibular right posterior teeth
3. Occlusal surfaces of mandibular right posterior teeth

22. Right rear (11 o'clock ) position
 In this position dentist sits behind and slightly to the right of
the patient and the left arm is positioned around patient head
 This is preferred position for most of dental procedures
 Most areas of mouth are accessible from this position either
using direct or indirect vision
 Working areas include:
1. Palatal and incisor (occlusal) surfaces of maxillary teeth
2. Mandibular teeth (direct vision)

23. Direct rear (12o'clock ) position
 Dentist sits directly
behind the patient and
looks down over the
patient's head during
procedure
 Working areas are lingual
surfaces of mandibular
teeth

24. General consideration
 Patient head should be rotated according to need of operator
without hesitating
 Operator should maintain space between the patient as while
reading a book
 The operator never rest his hands on patient face
 The chest of the patient should never be used as a tray to
keep instruments
 The left hand should be free to use as retractor using hand
mirror

30. “
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