Duties Eliminate tooth decay and fill cavities, repair or remove damaged teeth, place sealants or whitening agents on teeth, administer anesthetics to prevent patients from feeling pain during procedures, prescribe antibiotics or other medications. Dentists diagnose and treat dental problems and help patients develop better oral hygiene regimens. They clean teeth, correct bite problems, perform surgeries and extractions, and perform other tasks to ensure that teeth and mouth are healthy. Dentists have a wide range of responsibilities and tasks that they must perform on a daily basis.

They analyze x-rays, examine patients for cavities or diseases, make models for dental appliances, and educate patients about proper oral care. More complicated procedures include making root canals, placing and installing crowns, measuring dentures, and sometimes also extracting teeth. Examine, diagnose, and treat oral diseases. Perform oral treatments that include root canals, extractions, and prosthesis repair and removal.

10 Duties of a Dentist

Dentists have a number of duties, which include: Treating conditions that affect the mouth, teeth and gums. Interacting with patients and maintaining accurate and updated medical records.

Interacting with patients

Among the 10 duties of a dentist, one of the most important is interacting with patients. This includes establishing a cognitive connection with the patient, planning treatment options, and drawing a diagnosis. In addition, interacting with patients also involves providing support to them.

To make the most of these interactions, it is a good idea to plan them in advance. When you plan, you can determine the most effective methods to communicate with your patients, and you can create a list of touchpoints that will enhance the overall experience.

One of the best ways to accomplish this is to map out your patient journey. You should make the journey a collaborative effort, incorporating input from your team members and your own internal perspective. By doing this, you are more likely to build a culture of kindness in your dental hospital.

A journey map should be a data-driven approach, utilizing new technologies and concepts. It should highlight the major steps in the patient journey and take advantage of the various touchpoints along the way.

An example of a good patient-centered communication strategy is the introduction of an opt-in email list. This list allows potential customers to sign up for emails that include the brand, trial offers, and other pertinent information.

Another way to improve your communications is to ask your patients to map out their own journeys. This will help you divide the different touchpoints into manageable sections.

Treating conditions affecting the mouth, teeth and gums

If you have any medical conditions, it's important to keep your dentist and physician informed about them. This can help you avoid complications or long-term health problems.

Dental problems can irritate your gums, which in turn can lead to infection. If left untreated, the condition can lead to loss of teeth.

Periodontal disease is caused by a buildup of plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria on the teeth and surrounding tissues. Plaque produces toxins that can damage your teeth.

Other causes of gum disease include smoking, poor oral hygiene, and certain medications. For instance, anticonvulsant drugs like Dilantin can cause abnormal growth of gum tissue.

Fortunately, gum disease is treatable with proper dental care. In some cases, a procedure called gingival grafting can replace damaged gum tissue and anchor your teeth.

However, you need to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning. Using mouthwash can also help treat gingivitis.

If your gums bleed while brushing, you may have gingivitis. You can get rid of this condition by using an antiseptic mouthwash and brushing and flossing regularly.

Periodontitis is another common type of gum disease. This bacterial infection of the bone and gums causes your gums to deteriorate and pull away from your teeth.

If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. In severe cases, the infection can spread to the jawbone.

Keeping accurate and updated medical records

Medical records are crucial to good health care. They provide a detailed account of a patient's medical history, which can be used to identify patients, determine diagnoses, and improve communication between providers. The information contained in a record should be arranged in a logical, chronological order.

An accurate and well-maintained record can save a healthcare provider from lawsuits and other claims. However, poor record keeping can lead to missed diagnoses, medication errors, and other mishaps. A good dentist has the skills to maintain a comprehensive and accurate set of medical records.

Records are made up of notes, test results, and other information gathered during patient visits. These documents must be maintained in a secure manner, and should be easily accessible to the appropriate parties.

A properly maintained medical record can also prevent fraud, abuse, and other legal complications. It is important to note that while some records are retained indefinitely, others should be disposed of properly.

Using a color-coded labeling system can make it easier to retrieve your patient's record. In addition, a hole punch and metal retainer clips can help organize loose sheets of paper.

While a dental office should have a record retention policy, it is advisable to consult with a professional liability insurance company to determine which records should be kept and which should be discarded.