Diploma in Dental Nursing, Level 3

Carole Hollins

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781118629475
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Dentistry

Diploma in Dental Nursing, Level 3 is the new edition of the must-have study companion for trainee dental nurses preparing for the City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing (formerly NVQ). The book offers comprehensive support on the units assessed by portfolio - from first aid and health and safety to specific chairside support procedures - as well as the four areas of the course tested by multiple choice questions: infection control, oral health assessment, dental radiography and oral health management.

This third edition of an established revision text has been substantially revised and restructured in line with the new qualification and reflects changes in the regulations and legislature affecting dentistry and dental workplaces, all of which have an effect on the daily role and working life of the dental nurse. It will be an invaluable guide for dental nurse trainees, qualified dental nurses and course providers.

- Expanded and revised, with extensive coverage of the fifteen Diploma units
- In full colour throughout with over 400 illustrations
- Companion website with downloadable glossary and MCQs for revision and self-assessment

1
Unit 301: Ensure Your Own Actions Reduce Risks to Health and Safety

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Learning outcomes

1. Be able to identify the hazards in the workplace
2. Be able to act upon hazards in the workplace
3. Be able to reduce the risks to health and safety in the workplace

Outcome 1 assessment criteria

The learner can:

• Identify which workplace procedures are relevant to their job
• Identify those working practices in the job that could harm them or others
• Identify those aspects of the workplace that could harm them or others
• Outline any differences between workplace legislation and supplier’s or manufacturer’s instructions

Outcome 2 assessment criteria

The learner can:

• Report hazards to the identified responsible person
• Demonstrate the ability to deal with hazards in the workplace

Outcome 3 assessment criteria

The learner can:

• Carry out their work in accordance with workplace legislation or manufacturer’s instructions
• Behave in a way that does not endanger their health and safety or that of others, or of the materials in the workplace
• Contribute to health and safety improvements within the workplace
• Follow guidelines for environmentally friendly working practices
• Ensure personal presentation protects their health and safety and that of others in line with instructions

This unit is assessed by:

• Observation in the workplace, with examples included in the learner’s portfolio
• An appropriate alternative method

Details of various elements of theory and underpinning knowledge are included in Chapter 12, and these are assessed within the written paper.

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The theory and underpinning knowledge required to understand the need to act responsibly in the workplace, to understand and follow all the health and safety policies and protocols in place, and to recognise which particular workplace activities may be hazardous to the dental team are discussed in detail in Chapters 12, 14 and 15. The actions that the dental nurse will need to take in the event of a medical emergency occurring on the premises are discussed in detail in Chapter 13.

This chapter explains the dental nurses’ roles and responsibilities in relation to identifying and dealing with risks and hazards in the dental workplace. Those responsibilities are to themselves and any other person on the workplace premises. In the dental workplace, “any other person” includes patients and their guardians or escorts, visiting utility workers, such as postal workers and meter readers, and visitors such as repair and maintenance personnel.

The relevant workplace procedures that may pose a risk or hazard to the dental nurse are:

• Use of some occupational equipment and items
• Use of some hazardous occupational substances
• Moving and handling of heavy items or hazardous substances
• Disposal of hazardous substances

Overview of responsibilities

All dental workplaces, their staff and patients are covered by the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), as is any other workplace. In addition, other legislation is relevant to the dental workplace, due to the potentially harmful nature of the equipment and chemicals used, as well as the occupational hazards associated with delivering dental treatment or working in the dental environment.

The health and safety legislation seeks to protect staff and patients while on the premises by making staff aware of any potential hazards at work and encouraging them to find the best ways of making their particular premises safer for all concerned. In legal terms, the employer has a statutory duty to ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees and all visitors (including patients) are protected at all times. To do this, all of the potential hazards first need to be identified, and then the likelihood of them actually causing harm to anyone must be determined. The chance that a particular workplace hazard could cause harm to someone is known as its risk, and the correct procedure to be followed by the employer (and the staff) to identify those hazards in the dental workplace that could cause harm is called a risk assessment.

Compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act is overseen and regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This is a government body that provides guidance to employers on the correct enforcement of the Act and investigates any serious incidents that occur in any workplace where someone suffers serious harm or is killed. Every dental workplace is required to be registered with the HSE. Compliance with the additional legislation specific to the dental workplace is also a requirement by the General Dental Council (GDC), under their Standards for the Dental Team documentation.

In the dental workplace, normal procedures that are carried out on a day-to-day basis include the assessment of a patient’s oral health, the diagnosis of oral disease, and performing the necessary dental treatment required to cure that disease. In addition, elective dental procedures are carried out to prevent or reduce the likelihood of disease developing, and an array of administrative procedures will also be necessary to support the clinical functions of the workplace.

To ensure the safety of everyone while on the premises, both the employer and employees have responsibilities to be followed.

Employers’ responsibilities

All workplaces must have a current Health and Safety Law poster on display on the premises for all staff to see (Figure 1.1). This gives the name of the employer or employing organisation and states in broad terms what employees can expect from the employer (or organisation) in relation to the safeguarding of their health and safety while on the premises, as well as what employees can do themselves. It also gives contact details for the HSE in case any pr...