WEBVTT

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[National Library of Medicine. HF 1839. This transfer made: 01/12/06 Length: 00:18:10]

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[This file is unclassified.]

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[United States Navy Training Film.]

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[Produced by the Bureau of Aeronautics for the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.]

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[The Duties of a Dental Technician.]

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The dental technician is not only a part of the Navy,

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but a responsible, highly trained specialist in a branch of the medical profession.

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The dental technician and the dental officer work together with precision and accuracy,

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with the professional smoothness which compares with that of the finest gun troop.

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The technician's responsibilty to the service starts with the fundamentals of the first physical examinations.

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But besides simple fundamentals, his work includes specialized fields of the dental profession.

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His opportunities for learning valuable skills are limited only by his desire to progress through study and observation.

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For the dental technician is more that just a helper; he is a specialist, with responsibilities bearing upon many phases of the dental division's activities.

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The technician's work begins before a patient enters the dental operating room.

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It is his duty to see that the room is always kept neat and clean.

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Never should there be a sign of the last patient.

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The technician has to keep himself clean, likewise, for his appearance will have a good effect on the patient.

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And above all, his hands must be immaculate.

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The pre-examining instruments are laid out for the dental officer.

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Mirror, explorer and cotton pliers,

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since this patient's appointment is for a routine examination.

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Every patient receives a clean head rest cover, and a fresh towel.

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In the clinic, the technician conducts himself with professional dignity.

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His manner is quiet and confident.

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The dental officer at all times depends on his complete cooperation.

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Following this first dental examination, all treatment will be marked on the dental record.

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If an x-ray is to be taken, the technician operates the machine.

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He must know the proper position for the patient's head, and for the cone,

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and how the film is placed in the mouth.

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These are all factors to be considered in timing the exposure.

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Smears may be made if there is a suspicion of gum infection.

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Samples from six different areas are taken.

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Smears are spread thinly on the glass slide, so that organisms will be visible under the microscope.

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Passing the slide through the burner fixes the material so it will not wash off.

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Before the patient leaves, another appointment is made, and is entered in the appointment book.

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The technician stains the smear, in preparation for microscopic examination.

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The microscope is focused, and everything is made ready for the dental officer to make his diagnosis.

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The technician also develops the x-ray he has taken.

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After standard development, the film is rinsed in water and placed in the fixing solution,

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then washed thoroughly and allowed to dry.

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The technician checks the quality of the picture,

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and files it according to a definite system.

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Our next appointment is for a filling.

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As usual, the technician goes over the equipment,

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wiping with alcohol the syringes and anything that will come in contact with the instruments or the patient's mouth.

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Instruments are arranged on the bracket table so as to make for the greatest convenience and working efficiency.

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The saliva ejector draws saliva from the patient's mouth.

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The air syringe is for blowing away chips and debris.

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It is necessary to keep the working area as dry as possible while the dental officer is preparing the cavity for the restoration.

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The water syringe is used for washing out the cavity and aids in keeping the field clear.

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This cavity will have an amalgam restoration placed over a lining of cement, which the technician now prepares.

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There are several types of cements and amalgams, and he must know how to mix every type.

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While the dental officer lines the cavity with cement, the technician mixes the amalgam.

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During the operation, the technician keeps the dental officer supplied with the carrier containing amalgam of the proper consistency.

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After the filling is completed, the patient's mouth is sprayed, and he is dismissed.

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Before the instruments are put away, they are washed,

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and then sterilized for 10 minutes.

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The hand piece is taken apart, cleaned, and oiled to keep it in good condition.

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Everything must be ready for the next patient.

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[Oral surgery]

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In the surgery, a fresh supply of procaine is made each day.

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This is one of the duties of the technician assigned to this department.

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Here is an example of the importance of accuracy, for a slight mistake could be dangerous.

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Sterilization of surgical materials may be accomplished by heat or by chemicals.

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Dry goods and all instruments except cutting edge instruments may be sterilized in the autoclave.

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A complete set of sterile instruments is always kept in readiness for surgical needs.

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First a sterile field cloth goes on the working table.

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Instruments are carefully laid out in order, including those with cutting edges, which have been chemically sterilized.

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A sterile cloth is always kept folded over the instruments.

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Before admitting the patient to surgery, the technician makes certain that everything is clean and ready for the surgical operation.

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This man is coming in for an extraction.

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A pleasant, calm manner reassures him, and goes far toward putting him at ease.

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The technicians, as well as the dental officer, take aseptic precautions.

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Hands are thoroughly scrubbed and rinsed in alcohol.

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A sterile field pack is placed on the bracket table.

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Procaine is injected to produce local anesthesia.

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Instruments are placed on the sterile cloth as they are required.

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One assistant handles the aspirator. This takes away blood and saliva, keeping a clean field for the dental officer to work in.

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As the dental officer calls for each instrument, the technician handles it with sterile forceps.

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The work proceeds smoothly. The dental officer and technicians work as a team, and follow a well known routine.

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Climaxing their careful, precise actions, the tooth is skillfully extracted.

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The patient is told to appear at sick call the next day.

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Appointments will be made for necessary post-operative treatment.

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Ater being scrubbed, instruments other than those with cutting edges are put in the sterilizer.

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Any dull or broken instrument is set aside and saved, as all instruments must be accounted for.

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Cutting edge instruments are put in the cold, or chemical sterilizer.

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The general instruments will be sterilized later in the autoclave.

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All prophylaxis is usually entrusted to the dental technician.

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Periodic scaling will go far in maintaing a healthy oral condition.

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When working on a patient, the technician never attempts to give a diagnosis.

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Any unusual condition he finds should be referred directly to the dental officer.

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It is the technician's responsibility to discuss with the patient the proper care of his teeth, and to demonstrate the correct method of using his toothbrush.

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Thus the technician aids the dental officer in teaching the principles of oral hygiene.

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But the dental technician's duties are not limited to shore stations.

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In the company of men of other rates, he may go to sea to continue his service.

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Here the lessons he has learned will be tested as he meets new problems.

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He will learn to adapt himself to more confined quarters and the more compact arrangement of equipment.

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In his relations with the dental officer and patients, he will be guided by the same principles which for years has made his rate prized and respected.

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His position, one of highest responsibility to the profession of which he is a part, as a service, which he is unlimited.

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[The end. MN 2607. Bureau of Aeronautics. 1944.]