Profession dental practitioner

Dental practitioners prevent, diagnose and treat anomalies and diseases affecting the teeth, mouth, jaws and adjoining tissues.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic

Knowledge

• Dentistry science

  The sciences on which dentistry is based and an understanding of scientific methods, such as the principles of measuring biological functions, the evaluation of scientifically established facts and the analysis of data.

• Medico-biological and medical sciences related to dentistry

  The behavioral component and the social environment which impact the health of humans, in respect to dentistry.

• Mouth anatomy

  The structure and function of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues, both healthy and diseased, and their relationship to the general state of health and to the physical and social well-being of the patient.

• Surgery

  The essential procedures in surgical practice such as the principle of safe surgery, the pathophysiology of wound healing, knot tying, tissue handling, retraction and any other instruments and procedures used in the operating room.

• Anaesthetics

  Anaesthetics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Cosmetic dental procedures

  The dental restoration procedures and treatments that enhance the appearance of patients` teeth such as bleaching, enamel recontouring and adhesive dentistry, porcelain veneers, inlays, onlays and dental crowns.

• Clinical disciplines in dentistry

  The clinical disciplines and methods, providing the coherent picture of anomalies, lesions and diseases of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues and of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic dentistry.

Skills

• Comply with legislation related to health care

  Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.

• Diagnose abnormalities of dental-facial structures

  Assess abnormalities in jaw development, tooth position, and other structures of the teeth and face.

• Deal with emergency care situations

  Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.  

• Provide treatment strategies for challenges to human health

  Identify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.

• Manage dental emergencies

  Handle dental emergencies which are diverse in their nature, such as infections, bacterial, fungal, and viral, fractured teeth, responding to each individual case with a treatment that is unique to the situation.

• Apply organisational techniques

  Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.

• Treat tooth decay

  Treat tooth decay by assessing the risk, extent and activity of tooth decay, and recommend and provide appropriate therapy, whether surgical or non-surgical.

• Restore teeths' natural colour

  Bleach, clean or polish teeth to restore natural colour.

• Write prescriptions for medication in dentistry

  Determine indications and contraindications for the use of medication in dental practice, determining their dosages and routes of administration and writing prescriptions for medication used in dentistry.

• Keep records for dental prostheses

  Make the required records for the laboratory fabrication of dental prostheses and appliances.

• Provide instruction in orthodontic procedures

  Lead orthodontic procedures, providing clear instructions to dental staff and technical assistants.

• Listen actively

  Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.

• Develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship

  Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.

• Manage infection control in the facility

  Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.

• Carry out local anesthesia in dental procedures

  Achieve local anesthesia for dental procedures, managing complications related to anaesthesia.

• Rehabilitate worn dentition

  Manage tooth caries, defects and aesthetic problems, using techniques that conserve tooth structure and preserve pulp vitality to restore form and function.

• Apply context specific clinical competences

  Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.

• Interact with healthcare users

  Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.

• Ensure proper appointment administration

  Set up a proper procedure to manage appointments, including policies related to cancellation and nonappearance.

• Fit dental appliances

  Fit dental appliances in the patient`s mouth to alter the position of teeth and jaws or realign teeth.

• Ensure safety of healthcare users

  Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.

• Educate on the prevention of illness

  Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on the identification of risks leading to ill health and help to increase the patients' resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.

• Accept own accountability

  Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.

• Treat cases of malocclusion

  Treat and eliminate malocclusion, a bad fit between the upper and lower teeth, which affects chewing ability. Restore full function to the teeth by removing certain teeth, making room for teeth still erupting, then attach braces to the teeth to straighten the bite.

• Manage edentulous patients

  Manage patients who lack one or more teeth by providing fixed, removable and implant prostheses.

• Work in a multicultural environment in health care

  Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.

• Use orthodontic tools

  Use orthodontic tools such as gauges, dental placement instruments, probes, scissors, and X-ray units.

• Refer healthcare users

  Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.

• Undertake clinical audit

  Undertake internal clinical audit through the collection of statistical, financial and other data related to service delivery.

• Advise on healthcare users' informed consent

  Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.

• Perform oral health diagnosis

  Inquire about the state of oral hygiene, perform an examination, do imaging investigations and interpret the findings to set a diagnosis.

• Differentiate between maxillofacial tissues

  Distinguish abnormally hard and soft tissues of the maxillofacial complex from normal tissues.

• Interpret findings from medical examinations

  Interpret the findings from a patient`s history, clinical examination, radiographic examination, and other diagnostic tests and procedures.

• Manage adverse reactions to anaesthesia

  Handle patients with adverse reactions to anaesthetics administered during the operation.

• Promote health and safety policies in health services

  Promote adherence to local, regional, national and EU Health and Safety legislation, policies, guidelines and protocols.

• Select materials for orthodontic appliances

  Determine the appropriate materials for removable or permanent orthodontic appliances, paying attention to design and function as specified by prescription.

• Supervise dental staff

  Supervise the work of dental staff, making sure they manage equipment and supplies appropriately.

• Perform dental clinical examination

  Perform a comprehensive examination of the patient`s teeth and gums, collecting data using clinical, radiographic, and periodontal techniques as well as dental charting and other techniques in order to assess the patient`s needs.

• Manage occlusion

  Assess how the teeth of the lower jaw fit to the teeth of the upper jaw, recognising and managing malocclusion, or a bad contact between the teeth.

• Deal with patients' anxiety

  Recognise and handle the fears of patients undergoing a dental treatment.

• Work in multidisciplinary health teams

  Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.

• Respond to changing situations in health care

  Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.

• Apply health sciences

  Apply a broad range of bio-medical, psycho-social, organisational, educational, and societal aspects of health, disease, and healthcare to improve healthcare services and to improve quality of life.

• Provide periodontal treatment

  Manage gum conditions and diseases, providing periodontal treatment as needed and monitoring treatment outcomes.

• Minimise occupational hazards in dentistry practice

  Understand and implement procedures to minimise occupational hazards in dentistry.

• Treat exposure of dental pulp

  Treat exposure of tooth pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments.

• Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice

  Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.

• Manage healthcare users' data

  Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.

• Promote inclusion

  Promote inclusion in health care and social services and respect diversity of beliefs, culture, values and preferences, keeping in mind the importance of equality and diversity issues.

• Follow clinical guidelines

  Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.

• Communicate effectively in healthcare

  Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.

• Use e-health and mobile health technologies

  Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.

• Counsel on nutrition and its impact on oral health

  Counsel patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health.

• Lead the dental team

  Act as the leader of the dental team by providing clear instructions to the staff, depending on the dental procedures undertaken.

• Provide health education

  Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.

• Correct temporomandibular joint abnormalities

  Correct joint abnormalities by realigning the teeth to improve the patient`s bite and help the jaw fit together properly.

• Empathise with the healthcare user

  Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.

• Treat snoring problems

  Treat snoring problems using special appliances and/or laser surgery.

• Contribute to continuity of health care

  Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.

• Discuss dental treatment options with patient

  Discuss findings, diagnoses, aetiology with the patient and let the patient participate in considering risks, benefits and prognoses of the treatment options.

• Perform multiple tasks at the same time

  Execute multiple tasks at the same time, being aware of key priorities.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB