 |
|
The
"Dental Nurse" Concept |
| Did you know that
the idea of an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary was started over 100
years ago in New Zealand. Britain and Canada also have used dental
nurses over the years. |
| In the early
1960's several studies were conducted to allow dental auxiliary to
perform functions previously reserved for dentists. Educational
institutions began to include these functions into their training
programs. Throughout the 70's and 80's there has been considerable
debate within the states as to what can legally be delegated to
auxiliaries. |
| The Federal
Government has encouraged the ADA and state governments to pass state
laws to increase the use of expanded duties. This would benefit the
dental consumers and taxpayers while helping to contain the cost of
dentistry. |
| There are very few
states where expanded duties are legal but they all require either
formal education and or testing. In addition, some state practice acts
have a special category such as Qualified or Registered Dental Assistant
or Expanded Duty Dental Hygienist. |
| Dr. Ronald
Occhionero and other colleagues that worked with him in public health
dentistry, wrote a grant to obtain the funding to train dentists on how
to use EFDA's. Since there were no EFDA's in existence at the time, the
first training program in Ohio was started at Case Western Reserve
University School of Dentistry. The program was modeled after the one in
Kentucky, which was the first state in the nation to have an EFDA
program. |
| In Ohio, EFDA
legislation passed in 1976. Several formal educational institutions have
developed expanded duty programs. The Commission on Dental Testing in
Ohio was formed. This commission administers the official state board
test twice a year. The Ohio Dental Expanded Functions Association was
formed in 1978 and has organized local components in major cities in
Ohio. |
| - |
|
EFDA's can help the dentist live a longer,
healthier and more productive life! |
- Dentistry can be
a very stressful occupation.
- EFDA's
help to reduce stress within the dental office.
- EFDA's
help the schedule to be more flexible in order to accommodate.
emergencies and new patients without great interruption in the
practice schedule.
- EFDA's
enable the dentist have more time to do other things such as:
- Complete more
procedures per patient.
- Begin with
other procedures.
- Attend to
hygiene patients in a timely fashion.
- Communicate
with the front desk staff.
- Communicate
with the patients:
- Diagnosis
and Treatment Planning - Case Presentation.
- Build
patient rapport - Patient Education.
- Make phone
calls - read mail and journals.
- Start another
business -Take a Post Graduate Course.
- Work less
hours.
- Attend
professional meetings.
- Spend more
time on difficult and new procedures.
- Dentists can
practice longer into their retirement years with an EFDA.
- It is always
easier for a team to do a job rather than one person.
|
